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High Court of KeralaDivision BenchAppeal allowed; judgment of the Single Judge se...

WA No. 88 of 2021

Case / Petition Number:WA NO.88 OF 2021

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Anu Sivaraman
  • C. Jayachandran
Judgment Date
2023-09-18
Court Decision / Holding
Appeal allowed; the judgment of the learned Single Judge shall stand set aside and the appellants shall consider the issue strictly in accordance with the directions issued by the Apex Court and taking note of the options, if any submitted by the employees. The contentions raised by the employees who are drawing higher pension and the applicability of circular dated 25.1.2023 is left open.
Final Disposition
Appeal allowed; judgment of the Single Judge set aside; matter to be decided strictly in accordance with Apex Court directions and employees’ options; issues regarding higher pension and 25.01.2023 circular left open.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE - 673 006; THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFEICE, ERNAKULAM - 682 017; THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, 14. BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066

Respondents

  • RAJASEKHARAN NAIR
  • PRABHAKARAN NAIR.C.
  • G.VIJAYENDRAN
  • R.JAYAVIKRAMAN NAIR
  • T.AJITHKUMAR
  • SREEDHARA SARMA N
  • E.AISHA BEEVI
  • XAVIER N.A.
  • SUNIL KUMAR K.P.
  • J.M.UDAYAKUMAR
  • MANOHARAN C.A.
  • P.G.SADANANDAN
  • K.R.VIJAYAN
  • M.RAJKUMAR
  • HARI K.S.
  • B.VIJAYAKUMAR
  • SIVADASAN K.N.
  • V.R.SOMAN
  • GOKULAM K.P.
  • C.VENUGOPAL
  • C.S.MOHANAN
  • K.VENUGOPALAN
  • SHOUKATHLI
  • ALY V.K.
  • JAHARSHA M.K
  • BELTHAZAR M.J
  • MUHAMMAD SADIQUE
  • MATHRUBHUMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO.LTD.
  • DESHABHIMANI, CHINTHA PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO.PVT.LTD.
  • MADHYAMAM DAILY IDEAL PUBLICATIONS TRUST
  • UNION OF INDIA

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sajeev K. Gopal

Counsels for Respondents

  • • SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR(B/O) SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN (SR.) SRI.P.P.THAJUDHEEN (B/O) Smt. VIJAYA N.V. SRI. P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASGI.(B/O) SRI.PRINSUN PHILIP Smt. J.SURYA BALRAM S.A. V KRISHNA MENON S.KRISHNA

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ appeal arises from EPFO’s challenge to a Kerala High Court Single Judge’s order directing re-determination of pension for 27 writ petitioners (EPF subscribers). The appellants contend that the issue is governed by the Supreme Court’s decision in Employees Provident Fund Organization and Another v. Sunil Kumar B. and Others (2022), which upheld the validity of the 22.08.2014 notification and laid down options to be submitted by employees, thus requiring the pension recalculation to be carried out under the 2014 framework and consistent with those employee options. The respondents in the writ petition comprise individual EPF subscribers seeking higher pension; the High Court previously relied on the Division Bench’s decision in P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and others (ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614) to direct re-determination. The present judgment recognizes the apex ruling (Sunil Kumar B.) and directs that the issue be decided strictly in accordance with the Apex Court’s directions, taking note of options, if any submitted by employees. It leaves open the question of higher pension for those currently drawing it and the applicability of circular dated 25.01.2023. The court thus remits to apply the apex guidance to determine pension accordingly, in line with the 2014 notification framework.

Provisions of Law Cited

Notification dated 22.08.2014Circular dated 25.01.2023

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellants submit that the issue is squarely covered by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sunil Kumar B. and Others (2022), which upheld the validity of the 22.08.2014 notification and laid down options for employees. Therefore, pension recalculation should proceed strictly under the 2014 framework, with due regard to the employees’ options, and in light of the Apex Court’s directions. They assert that the matter must be decided in accordance with the apex guidance, and that any higher-pension considerations and circulars (e.g., 25.01.2023) should be analyzed within that framework.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contend that the issue is governed by the Division Bench’s directions in P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India (ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614) and that the Single Judge’s order to re-determine pension must be viewed through those precedents. They acknowledge the Apex Court’s judgment but emphasize adherence to the earlier Division Bench directions, including the mechanism for addressing employee options and any implications for pension recalculation, including higher pension questions and the impact of the 25 January 2023 circular.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and othersILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614PositiveCited as controlling precedent guiding the Division Bench’s directions on pension re-determination and referencing the earlier framework relied upon by the Kerala High Court.
Employees Provident Fund Organization and Another v. Sunil Kumar B. and Others2022 (6) KLT 234 (SC)PositiveApex Court decision upheld the 2014 notification and laid down directions on employee options, presented as controlling authority for the present case.

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Extracted Judgment Text

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# **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** # **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN** **&** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. JAYACHANDRAN** **MONDAY, THE 18[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 27TH BHADRA, 1945** **WA NO.88 OF 2021** **JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 35399/2019 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 10.6.2020** **------------------** ## **- APPELLANTS/RESPONDENTS 4 TO 6 IN WPC :** 1 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE - 673 006. 2 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFEICE, ERNAKULAM - 682 017. 3 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, 14. BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066 BY ADV SAJEEV KUMAR K.GOPAL ## **- RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS 1 TO 27/RESPONDENTS 1, 2, 3 AND 7 :** 1 RAJASEKHARAN NAIR, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.SIVASANKARA PILLAI, SUJA BHAVAN, TC 4/154, AMBALAANGER, CHLRA 12, KOWDIAR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 003, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000366, PPO NO.KR/TVM/00072183. 2 PRABHAKARAN NAIR.C., AGED 65 YEARS S/O.CHELLAPPAN NAIR, SREENILAYAM, TC 7/620/1, CHENNASERI LANE, MARUTHAMKUZHI, KANJIRAMPARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 030, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000613, PPO NO.KR/TVM/00067387. 3 G.VIJAYENDRAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.GANGADHARAN, VIJAYA NIVAS, TC 76/510, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 029, WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 2 :- EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/00002779/000/0000561, PPO NO.KR/TVM/00071576. 4 R.JAYAVIKRAMAN NAIR, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.RAJAPPAN NAIR, DWARAKA, NILAMA, OOKKODU, KALLIYOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 682 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000562, PPO NO.KR/TVM/00072144. 5 T.AJITHKUMAR, AGED 61 YEARS S/O.V.N.THANKAPPAN PILLAI, VASUNDHARA, PERUVARAM WEST, NORTH PARAVUR, ERNAKULAM - 683 513, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000861, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00099950. 6 SREEDHARA SARMA N, AGED 61 YEARS S/O.NARAYANAN NAMBOOTHIRI, PUTHUMANA MADAM, VADASSERIKKONAM, VARKALA - 695 143, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000545, PPO NO.KR/TVM/00080083. 7 E.AISHA BEEVI, AGED 62 YEARS D/O.S.ELLIYAS, BAIT AL HUDA, MATHETHARA NAGER 22, NEAR MATHRUBHUMI OFFICE, RAMANKULANGARA, KAVANAD P.O., KOLLAM - 691 003, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000280, PPO NO.KR/KLM/00103318. 8 XAVIER N.A., AGED 61 YEARS S/O.ABEL N.J., NADUVATHEEZHATH HOUSE, PONJIKKARA NORTH, MULAVUKAD P.O., ERNAKULAM - 682 504, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000279/000/0002988, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00065204. 9 SUNIL KUMAR K.P.AGED 68 YEARS S/O.PADMANABHAN, KAZHUVELIL HOUSE, KAZHUVELIK PALAM ROAD, CHALIKKAVATTOM, ERNAKULAM - 682 028, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000710, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00111330. 10 J.M.UDAYAKUMAR, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.MOHANAN, JANMAPARAMBA, CC 10/2084, KARUVELIPPADY, THOPPUMPADY S.O., ERNAKULAM - 682 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000222, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00106320. WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 3 :- |11|MANOHARAN C.A., AGED 61 YEARS| |---|---| ||S/O.APPU, CHAKKALAPARAMBIL, KALOOR, KOCHI - 682 017,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000678,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00103044.| |12|P.G.SADANANDAN, S/O.GOVINDAN,| ||PERAMBIKUDY HOUSE, OM ROAD, MALAMURI,| ||PERUMBAVOOR P.O., ERNAKULAM - 673 001,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000520,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00101003.| |13|K.R.VIJAYAN, AGED 61 YEARS| ||S/O.RAMACHANDRAN, KANNEMPILLI PARAMBU,| ||ELAMAKKARA P.O., KOCHI - 682 026,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000279,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/0010100.| |14|M.RAJKUMAR, AGED 60 YEARS| ||S/O.G.MOHAN, N.12 VENTENAD GARDENS, THAMMANAM,| ||KOCHI - 682 032, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/1986,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00106232.| |15|HARI K.S., AGED 65 YEARS| ||S/O.K.K.SUBRAMANIAN, KALAPURAKKAL HOUSE,| ||POOTHAYIL ROAD, PARAVOOTHARA, NORTH PARAVUR,| ||ERNAKULAM - 683 513,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000215,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00079382.| |16|B.VIJAYAKUMAR, S/O.K.BHASKARA PILLAI,| ||UTHRAM, TC/64/1546, PUNCHAKKARI, NEAR BNV LP SCHOOL,| ||THIRUVALLA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 027,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000420,| ||PPO NO.KR/TVM/70342.| |17|SIVADASAN K.N., AGED 65 YEARS| ||S/O.NARAYANAN, KOCHUTHARA HOUSE, KUTHIATHODE P.O.,| ||CHERTHALA, ALAPUZHA - 688 533,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0003311/000/0000065,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00078375.| |18|V.R.SOMAN, AGED 66 YEARS| ||S/O.RAMAKRISHNAN, PANAKKAL HOUSE, NADUTHURUTH ROAD,| ||PANANGAD P.O., ERNAKULAM - 682 506,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0003311/000/0000052,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00073984.| WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 4 :- 19 GOKULAM K.P., AGED 61 YEARS S/O.PARAMU K.A., PAREPARAMBIL HOUSE, KOZHIVETTUMVELI, EROOR NORTH P.O., TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM - 682 106, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0003311/000/00000042, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00102090. 20 C.VENUGOPAL, S/O.K.CHELLAPPAN PILLAI, III/479 ANJALI, SANATHANAPURAM P.O., ALEPPEY - 688 003, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/000/0000201, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00085721 21 C.S.MOHANAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.CHIDAMBARAN, CHIRAYIL HOUSE, MUHAMMA P.O., ALAPPUZHA - 688 525, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0003311/0000054, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00092545 22 K.VENUGOPALAN, S/O.A.K.RAGHAVAN NAMBIAR, 3B J M PARADISE, PALARIVATTOM, KOCHI - 682 025, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/000/00000069, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00094473. 23 SHOUKATHLI, S/O.KUNHIMOHAMED, CHENDANAM KANDI, MUZHIKKAL, CHELAVOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 571, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0011761/000/0000009, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00068824. 24 ALY V.K., AGED 59 YEARS S/O.KUNJU MUHAMMED, VALIYAVEEDU, EDAPPALLY NORTH P.O., KOCHI - 682 024, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0011761/000/000054, PPO NO.KR/KCH/0111045. 25 JAHARSHA M.K, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.KABEER M.I., MANAKULANGARA PARAMBIL, KALLETUMKARA, THRISSUR - 680 683, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/11761/119, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00096265. 26 BELTHAZAR M.J, AGED 61 YEARS S/O.JOSEPH V.V., VALLATTUMANICKATHAN HOUSE, KENNADIMUKKU, THRIKKAKARA P.O., KAKKANAD, KOCHI - 682 021, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0011761/000/0000256, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00104836. WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 5 :- 27 MUHAMMAD SADIQUE, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.SAYED MUHAMMED, SUMAYYAS, CHEMBAKASSERIYIL PURAYIDOM, VALIYAKULAM WARD, WATTAPALLY ROAD, ALAPPUZHA - 688 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/11761/142, PPO NO.KR/KCH/00104641. 28 MATHRUBHUMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO.LTD., REGISTERED OFFICE AT KOZHIKODE - 673 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 29 DESHABHIMANI, CHINTHA PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO.PVT.LTD., DESHABHIMANI ROAD, KALOOR, KOCHI - 682 017, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 30 MADHYAMAM DAILY IDEAL PUBLICATIONS TRUST, SILVER HILLS P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 012, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 31 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 001 BY ADVS. SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR(B/O) SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN (SR.) SRI.P.P.THAJUDHEEN (B/O) VIJAYA N.V. SRI. P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASGI.(B/O) SRI.PRINSUN PHILIP SMT.J.SURYA BALRAM S.A. V KRISHNA MENON S.KRISHNA THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 6 :- ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Dated this the 18th day of September, 2023** ## **Anu Sivaraman, J.** This appeal is preferred by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation challenging the judgment of the learned Single Judge, directing re-determination of the pension payable to the writ petitioners, that is, respondents 1 to 27 in this appeal, in the light of the directions given in the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in **P. Sasikumar and others** v. **Union of India and others** [ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614].. 2. It is submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the parties that the issue now stands covered by the judgment of the Apex Court in **Employees Provident Fund Organization and Another** v. **Sunil Kumar B. and Others** [2022 (6) KLT 234 (SC)]. It is submitted that the Apex Court in Paragraph 44 of the said judgment has upheld the notification dated 22.08.2014 as legal and valid and has also issued further directions with regard to options to be submitted by the employees. It is submitted that the issue will now have to be considered on the basis of the directions of the Apex Court. WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 7 :- In the above view of the matter and in the light of the judgment of the Apex Court, this writ appeal is allowed. The judgment of the learned Single Judge shall stand set aside and the appellants shall consider the issue strictly in accordance with the directions issued by the Apex Court and taking note of the options, if any submitted by the employees. The contentions raised by the employees who are drawing higher pension and the applicability of circular dated 25.1.2023 is left open. **Sd/ANU SIVARAMAN Sd/C. JAYACHANDRAN JUDGE** **JUDGE** Jvt/23.9.2023 WA NO.88 OF 2021 -: 8 :- ## **APPENDIX OF WA 88/2021** PETITIONER ANNEXURES :- |ANNEXURE-1|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THE HON'BLE| |---|---| ||SUPREME COURT DATED 06.02.2020 IN WPC| ||NO.233/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES| |ANNEXURE-2|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03.07.2020 IN WPC| ||NO.2654 OF 2020| |ANNEXURE-3|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 14.01.2020 IN CWP-| ||19985 OF 2018 (O AND M)| |ANNEXURE-4|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN WPC NO.20572 OF 2018| ||DATED 03.03.3030| |ANNEXURE-5|TRUE COPY OF THE ACTUARIAL REPORT DATED| ||27.12.2018| |ANNEXURE-6|TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED| ||20.06.2019|