High Court of KeralaDivision Bench2023-09-18Writ Appeal allowed; Single Judge’s order set a...

WA No.1653 of 2020

Case / Petition Number:WA No.1653 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: Anu Sivaraman
C. Jayachandran
Judgment Date: 2023-09-18
Court Decision / Holding: WA No.1653 of 2020 is allowed; the judgment of the learned Single Judge is set aside; the appellants shall consider the issue strictly in accordance with the directions issued by the Apex Court in Sunil Kumar B. and take into account the options submitted by employees; the questions of higher pension and the applicability of circular dated 25.01.2023 are left open; matter to be decided accordingly.
Final Disposition: Writ Appeal allowed; Single Judge’s order set aside; matter to be re-considered strictly in accordance with Apex Court directions and employee options; open questions on higher pension and applicability of circular 25.01.2023.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Regional Office, Kozhikode - 673 006
The Central Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident Fund Organization, Bhavishyânidhi Bhavan, 14 Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110 066

Respondents

Devadasan M.
Ravindran Nair P.
Ramesh Babu C. K.
Vasantha C. V.
Sivadasan V. P.
Devadas A. K.
Venugopalan M. M.
Raveendran T. V.
AMMED T.
Thrivikraman V. R.
Somasundaran C. P.
Ravindran T. K.
Nandakumar A. M.
Geetha T. V.
P. Gopinathan
E. Peethambaran
Krishnadas M. K.
P. Sreejayan
P. C. Vijayakumar
Dorothy Issac
P. Menadevi
Jayaprakash Narayanan P. T.
Amm
Ashokan K.
Jayarajan M. K.
Ramadas K.
Nandakumar K. M.
Subramanian K.
K. Krishnadas
Viswanathan T.
E. Mohandas
V. Narayanan Namoodiri
A. P. Gopalakrishnan
E. Aravindakshan
T. V. Narayanan
M. Achuthankutty
M. Sarojini
Ajithkumar K. V.
V. Raveendranathan
Sreenivasaran K.
Baburajan M.
AjaiKumar M.
Ravindran K.
Kamalam C. P.
Mallikal Kesavamenon
T. P. Sanath Kumar
N. Asokan
Satheesan C.
O. V. Vijayyan
Ramachandran G. P.
T. Baburajan
Surendran C.
Prasannan C.
Ramakrishnan V.
P. Chandran
Muraleedharan R. P.
Prakasam Mattayil
Narayanan K. R.
MATHRUBHUMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO. LTD.
UNION OF INDIA

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Sajeev Kumar K. Gopal (SC), EPFO

Counsels for Respondents

• V. V. Nandagopal Nambiar
• U. K. Ramakrishnan (Sr.)
• P. Vijayakumar, SC
• Prinsun Philip
• Smt. J. Surya V
• Krishna Menon

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ appeal, filed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), challenges a learned Single Judge’s order in WP(C) No.62 of 2020 directing re-determination of the pension payable to 57 writ petitioners, guided by a Division Bench’s earlier stance in P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and others (ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614). The core dispute centers on how pension should be calculated under the Employees’ Provident Fund scheme in light of Supreme Court guidance and subsequent directives. The EPFO urged that the issue be resolved strictly in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision in Employees Provident Fund Organization v. Sunil Kumar B. and Others (2022) (6) KLT 234 (SC), which upheld the validity of notification dated 22.08.2014 and laid down directions for employee options, thereby limiting or altering earlier battlefield positions. The respondents (petitioners) contended for recalibration of pension consistent with the Division Bench’s directions and the earlier ILR decision. The Hon’ble Judges, Anu Sivaraman, J., and C. Jayachandran, J., hold that the issue is now governed by the Apex Court’s ruling and allow the appeal, setting aside the Single Judge’s order. The matter is to be re-considered strictly per the Apex Court’s directions, with options submitted by employees taken into account; questions regarding higher pension and applicability of circular dated 25.01.2023 are left open. The judgment emphasizes alignment with Supreme Court guidance and directs subsequent action accordingly.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The EPFO submits that the issue is governed by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sunil Kumar B. v. EPFO (2022) which upheld the validity of notification dated 22.08.2014 and laid down directions for employee options. It contends that the apex decision should govern pension determinations going forward, and that the matter should be decided strictly in the light of those directions, with awareness of employee options and without reintroducing broader re-determination requirements. It also notes that the questions related to higher pension and the applicability of circular dated 25.01.2023 are left open by the Apex Court.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents argue for adherence to the Division Bench’s directions in P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India (ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614) and for recalibration of pension in the manner envisioned there, seeking to ensure benefits as earlier directed. They rely on the writ petition outcomes and the pensioners’ rights under the EPF scheme, urging full re-determination in line with earlier orders while contesting the applicability of later circulars.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and others	ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614	Partly Overruled / Limited	Cited as a basis for the earlier Division Bench approach, but ultimately subordinate to the Supreme Court’s Sunil Kumar B. decision, with the present judgment following apex directives.
Employees Provident Fund Organization and Another v. Sunil Kumar B. and Others	2022 (6) KLT 234 (SC)	Positive	Cited as controlling authority; the apex judgment upholds the 22.08.2014 notification and provides directions on employee options, guiding the present decision.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

# **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.1653 OF 2020** **JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 62/2020 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 10.6.2020** **--------------------** ## **- APPELLANTS/RESPONDENTS 2 AND 3 IN WPC :** 1 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE - 673 006. 2 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, 14 BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI - 110 066. BY ADV SRI.SAJEEV KUMAR K. GOPAL, SC, EPFO ## **- RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS 1 TO 57/RESPONDENTS 1 AND 4 :** 1 DEVADASAN M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. GOPALA MENON K., 24/1592 C 'SNEHA', NEDUNGADI LANGE, MANKAVE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000197, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00059583 2 RAVINDRAN NAIR P., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P. KRISHNAN NAIR, 36/1513, ASHRAM HOUSE, POST VENGERYKKD, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001618, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00055903. 3 RAMESH BABU C. K., AGED 60 YEARS S/O. CHANDRAN C. K., CHERAKKAL KUNNATH HOUSE, CHERUKARA KANDY PARAMBA, NELLIKODE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000601, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00064427. WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 2 :- 4 VASANTHA C. V., AGED 63 YEARS D/O. KARUNAKARA KURUP P., 'PRAVEENA', 2/422A, P. M. KUTTY ROAD, P. O. KARAPARAMBA, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000322, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00056626. 5 SIVADASAN V. P., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. KUNHAN NAIR, 'THIRUVONAM', MAKKADA P. O., KAKKODI VIA, CALICUT - 673 611, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000577, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00057873. 6 DEVADAS A. K., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P. C. BALAKRISHNAN, 'SREESADANAM', POOTHADY P. O., WAYANAD DT., KERALA - 673 596, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000257, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00052415. 7 VENUGOPALAN M. M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. KUTTYAYI M., MULIYAM PARAMBIL HOUSE, FAROOK COLLEGE P. O. - 673 632, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000733, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062172. 8 RAVEENDRAN T. V., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. APPUTTY T. V., 'ASHOKA', KAINATTY, KALPETTA NORTH P. O., WAYANAD - 673 122, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000643, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00054262. 9 AMMED T., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. KUNHITHARAVAYI, THADATHIL HOUSE, K. G. NAGAR, WARE HOUSE, MUNDARI ROAD, P. O. KALPETTA, WAYANAD, KERALA - 673 121, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001505, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00055129. 10 THRIVIKRAMAN V. R., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. M. S. RAMACHANDRAN, LAKSHMI BHAVAN, PONNADA, MANIYANCODE PP. O., KALPETTA, WAYANAD, KERALA - 673 122, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0002311, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00055131. 11 SOMASUNDARAN C. P., AGED 66 YEARS S/O. CHOYIKUTTY C. P., 'SUSEELA NIVAS', GOVINDAPURAM P. O., CALICUT - 673 016, WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 3 :- EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000804, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/120800001994. 12 RAVINDRAN T. K., AGED 66 YEARS S/O. T. K. CHANDUKUTTY, THEKKE KOMALASSERY HOUSE, GURUVAYURAPPAN COLLEGE P. O., PALAZHI, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 014, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000648, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00044064. 13 NANDAKUMR A. M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. VENUGOPALA MARAR, 1/4383 A,KARUNYAM, NEAR BILATHIKULAM TEMPLE, P. O. ERANHIPALAM, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000423, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00061707. 14 GEETHA T. V., AGED 65 YEARS D/O. C. KARUNAKARAN NAMBIAR, WEST KALATHIL, P. O. PUTHIYARA, CALICUT - 673 004, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000173, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00046802. 15 P. GOPINATHAN, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. M. P. NEELAKANDAN NABISSAN, PERINGINI, MOKAVOOR, ERANHIKKAL P. O., KOZHIKODE - 673 303, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000578, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00058445. 16 E. PEETHAMBARAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O. K. NARAYANAN NAIR, ANJALI HOUSE, KUNIYAMBALATH THAZHAM, P. O. PANTHEERANKAVE - 673 019., KOZHIKODE, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000143, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00042915. 17 KRISHNADAS M. K., AGED 64 YEARS S/O. A. PADMANABHAN NAMBIAR, 'SREENILAYAM', BILATHIKULAM, P. O. WEST HILL, KOZHIKODE - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000253, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00057874. 18 P. SREEJAYAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. P. GOPALAN, 'JIJINA' HOUSE, P. O. CHELANNUR, KOZHIKODE - 673 616., EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/0000488, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00047450 WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 4 :- 19 P. C. VIJAYAKUMAR, AGED 68 YEARS S/O. M. C. KARUNAKARA PANICKER, 'SOUPARNIKA' P. O., KOMMERI, KOZHIKODE - 673 007, KERALA, EPF A/C KR/279/189, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/41350. 20 DOROTHY ISSAC, AGED 66 YEARS D/O. C. S. ISSAC, 'SOUPARNIKA', P. O. KOMMERI, KOZHIKODE - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/0000260, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00045714. 21 P. MEENADEVI, AGED 65 YEARS D/O. P. KRISHNAN, 'NARAYANEEYAM', KARAPARAMBA VIA, KOZHIKODE - 673 010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000/736, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00047833. 22 JAYAPRAKASH NARAYANAN P. T., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. K. UNNIKRISHNAN, JITHEESH NIVAS, PUZHIKUNNU PARAMBA KANNANCHERY, P. O. KALLAI, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 003, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000204, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062155. 23 ASHOKAN K., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. VASUDEVAN K., 'SHARAVANAM', MUNDAKKADI NILAM THOTTIL PEEDIKA P. O., CHEVARAMBALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000180, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00055126. 24 JAYARAJAN M. K., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. K. APPU, M. A. VIHAR, MANJAKKAL KARATTU THAZHAM, NELLIKODE POTTAMMAL, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001633, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00058801. 25 RAMADAS K., AGED 65 YEARS S/O. K. CHEKKU, MANKAVEETIL, METHAL PARAMBIL P. O., VELLIMADUKKUNNU - 673 012, KOZHIKODE, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000208, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00051015. 26 NANDAKUMAR K. M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. K. M. CHEKKUTTY, KACHILATE MANNARAKKAL P. O., NELLIKODE, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000754, WA NO.1653 OF 2020 ## -: 5 :- P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00059939. 27 SUBRAMANIAN K., AGED 71 YEARS S/O. P. SEKHARAN NAIR, SAVERI, VALAYANAD, KOMMERI P. O. - 673 007, CALICUT, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1398, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00061662. 28 K. KRISHNADAS, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. K. CHEKKU, PERINGAMPURATH MEETHAL HOUSE, GOVINDAPURAM, KOZHIKODE, KERALA - 673 016, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000446, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00061662. 29 VISWANATHAN T., AGED 69 YEARS S/O. CHATHU, 'DHANYA', NEAR DESAPOSHINI LIBRARY, KUTHIRAVATTOM, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/48, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/34626. 30 E. MOHANDAS, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. E. GANGADHARAN, ELAMBILASSERY HOUSE, P. O.G.A.COLLEGE, IRINGALLUR, KOZHIKODE - 673 014, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000460, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00058447. 31 V. NARAYANAN NAMBOODIRI, AGED 67 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAMBOODHIRI, VAITHALA ILLAM, P. O. CHERUKULATHUR, KOZHIKODE - 673 008, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000433, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/110800003408. 32 A. P. GOPALAKRISHNAN, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. CHANDU, ANANDHAR NILAM KUNIPARAMBU, PUNADATH THAZHAM P. O., ERANHIPALAM, KOZHIKODE - 637 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000210, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00059194. 33 E. ARAVINDAKSHAN, AGED 74 YEARS EDAKKANDY HOUSE, THIRUTHIYAD, PUTHIYARA - 673 004, CALICUT, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1356, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/17918. 34 T. V. NARAYANAN, AGED 60 YEARS S/O. T. N. VISWANATHAN PILLAI, THAZHE PUNATHIL PARAMBA, VRINDAVAN COLONY, CHEVAYUR, CALICUT - 673 017, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000256, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062478. WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 6 :- 35 M. ACHUTHANKUTTY, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. K. APPUNNI MENON, 'GOKULAM', VERKOTE, MANKAVE, CALICUT - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000234, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00049476. 36 M. SAROJINI, AGED 72 YEARS D/O. K. MADHAVAN NAIR, 'SURYA', MANKAVE, CALICUT - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1435, P. P. O. NO.278587. 37 AJITHKUMAR K. V., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. K. V. BALAN, 'USHAS', KOTTAPRAMBATH, KRISHNAN NAIR ROAD, KARUVISSERY P. O., KOZHIKODE - 673 010, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000602, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062738. 38 V. RAVEENDRANATHAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHAN NAIR C. P., VAYAPURATH HOUSE, MOORIKKARA P. O. (VIA), KAKKODI, KOZHIKODE - 673 611, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000482, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062888. 39 SREENIVASAN K., AGED 64 YEARS S/O. V. KAILASAM, HOUSE NO.538/2B 'DWARAKA' ONIVAYAL, KALPETTA - 673 121, WAYANAD, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0002185, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00052636. 40 BABURAJAN M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. P. M. KUNHIKIRISHNAN NAIR SHABHASREE, THADAPARAMBATH NELLIKODE, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000439, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00061706. 41 AJAIKUMAR M., AGED 60 YEARS S/O. K. RAGHAVA PANICKER CHUMICHUNJUMI, THIRUVANNUR P. O., CALICUT - 673 029, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000630, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062739. 42 RAVINDRAN K., AGED 71 YEARS S/O. P. KESAVAN NAIR, KENADATH HOUSE, NENMENI P. O., THAIKKAD VIA, THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA - 680 104., EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/110, P. P. O. NO.KR/KCH/45526. WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 7 :- 43 KAMALAM C. P., AGED 70 YEARS D/O. V. GOVINDA MENON, SREEMANDIRAM, BHAJANAKOVIL ROAD, CHALAPPURAM, CALICUT, KERALA - 673 002, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1403, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/33313. 44 MALLIKAL KESAVAMENON, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. K. P. DAMODARAN, VILLA - 5, GOOD EARTH RIVER SONG THIRUTHIMMAL, THAZHAM ROAD, PANTHEERANKAVE, CALICUT, KERALA - 673 019, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/2926, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00063017. 45 T. P. SANATH KUMAR, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN NAIR A. K., PUNCHODI HOUSE, ASOKAPURAM, CALICUT - 673 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/182, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00049244. 46 N. ASOKAN, AGED 74 YEARS S/O. N. KUTTAN, A/248 (SECOND FLOOR), SAFDUR JUNG ENCLAVE, NEW DELHI - 110 029., EPF A/C NO.KR/279/158, P. P. O. NO.DL/CPM/17379. 47 SATHEESAN C., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVAN C., CHEELANGAT HOUSE, KIZHAKKAN THURUTHI ROAD, CIVIL STATION P. O., CALICUT, KERALA - 673 020, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000242, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00067259. 48 O. V. VIJAYAN, AGED 60 YEARS S/O. M. GOVINDAN NAMBIAR SHANTHI, NIKETHAN THRICHAMBARAM, THALIPARAMBA P. O., KANNUR DIST., KERALA - 670 141, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1101, P. P. O. NO.KR/KNR/00058282. 49 RAMACHANDRAN G. P., AGED 70 YEARS S/O. P. SANKARAN NAIR KRISHNAGIRI, KALATHINGAL VALLIKUNNU (N) P. O., KADALUNDI NAGARAM, MALAPPURAM - 673 314, KERALA STATE, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/209, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/35629. 50 T. BABURAJAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. T. APPU, THAYYIL HOUSE, 8/986, P. O. CIVIL STATION, CALICUT - 673 020., KERALA STATE, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000644, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00055128. WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 8 :- 51 SURENDRAN C., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. CHOYIKUTTY, METHAL CHENGOT HOUSE, P. O. KUTHIRAVATTOM, CALICUT - 673 016, KERALA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000451, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00057987. 52 PRASANNAN C., AGED 66 YEARS S/O. CHOYI, RANI VIHAR, CHENGOTE, KUTHIRAVATTOM P. O., CALICUT - 673 016., EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000105, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00045444. 53 RAMAKRISHNAN V., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. M. BALAKRISHNAN, POOLANCHALIL HOUSE, MAVILAYI, MUNDALOOR, KANNUR, KERALA - 670 622, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1824, P. P. O. NO.KR/KNR/00058288. 54 P. CHANDRAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. BALAN, AMALAMRUTHAM, P. O. KOTTAYAM, MALABAR VIA, KUTHUPARAMBA DISTRICT, KANNUR, KERALA - 670 643., EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/00001842, P. P. O. NO.KR/KNR/00058315. 55 MURALEEDHARAN R. P., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. KUNHIRAMAN NAMBIAR HARISREE, PULIYARATH HOUSE, THIRUVALLUR P. O., BADAGARA, CALICUT DIST., KERALA - 673 541, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/1554, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00062819. 56 PRAKASAN MATTAYIL, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. M. MADHAVAN NAIR, REVATHI, PARAKANDI PARAMBA, KOMMERI P. O., CALICUT, KERALA - 673 007., EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000684, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00057378. 57 NARAYANAN K. R., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. K. R. RUDRAN, KULAPPURATH MANA, P. O. CHEVARAMBALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000310, P. P. O. NO.KR/KKD/00058446. 58 MATHRUBHUMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO. LTD. REGISTERED OFFICE AT KOZHIKODE - 673 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 9 :- 59 UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHRIRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI MARGH, NEW DELHI - 110 001. BY ADVS. SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN (SR.) P.VIJAYAKUMAR, SCGC SRI.PRINSUN PHILIP SMT.J.SURYA V KRISHNA MENON THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WA NO.1653 OF 2020 -: 10 :- ## **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 57 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.1653 OF 2020 -: 11 :- 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.1653 OF 2020 -: 12 :- ## **APPENDIX OF WA 1653/2020** PETITIONER ANNEXURES |ANNEXURE|1|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THE HON'BLE| |---|---|---| |||SUPREME COURT DATED 06.02.2020 IN W.P.(C)| |||NO.233/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES.| |ANNEXURE|2|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03.07.2020 IN W.P.| |||(C) NO.2654 OF 2020.| |ANNEXURE|3|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 14.01.2020 IN CWP-| |||19985 OF 2018(O&M).| |ANNEXURE|4|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN W.P.NO.20572 OF 2018| |||DATED 03.03.2020.| |ANNEXURE|5|TRUE COPY OF THE ACTUARIAL REPORT DATED| |||27.12.2018.| |ANNEXURE|6|TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED| |||20.06.2019.|