WA Nos. 244 of 2021, 246 of 2021 and 248 of 2021 and connected cases (The Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Ltd. v. H.V. Kumar and others)

# **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** # **`PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR`** ## **`&`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED NIAS C.P.`** ``` THURSDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2022 / 20TH SRAVANA, 1944 ``` ## **`WA NO. 244 OF 2021`** ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENTWP(C) 33169/2018 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA ``` ## **`APPELLANT/S:`** ``` 1THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 2THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. BY ADV SRI.M.A.ASIF ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` 1H.V.KUMAR AGED 70 YEARS S/O.HRISHIKESAN NAIR, MAHALEKSHMI, TC NO.6/1352(5), PTPA NO.27, PTR AVENUE ROAD, VATTIYOORKAVU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 2L.THANIKAMONY, AGED 70 YEARS D/O.LASKHMY, LVMRA 95, MANI NIVAS, VARAMBASSERRY JUNCTION, VANCHIYOOR P.O., KUNNUKUZHI, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 035. 3O.LALITHAMBIKA, AGED 69 YEARS D/O.SMIT OMANA AMMA, LEKSHMI SHYLAM, KOORA 230, KOTTAVILA, VATTIYOOR KAVU PO.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 4N.GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.NARAYANA PILLAI, VIJAYA BAHVAN, ALUMMOODU, KANIYAPURAM, ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695301. 5K.ABDUL KAREEM, ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 2 :: ``` AGED 68 YEARS S/O.KAHDER KUNNU, TC 49/378, PANAVILA LANE, KAMALESWARAM, MANACAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 009. 6C.DHARMAPALAN, AGED 73 YEARS S/O.P.CHELLAYAN NADAR, ASILI, HOLY CROSS CHURCH ROAD, VANDITHADAM, VELLAYANI P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 522. 7R.ANANDAN, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.S.RAGHAVAN, SURABHI, TC 11/2735, NALANCHIRA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 015. 8B.MOHANKUMAR, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.N.K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, NIPAMA, ERAYANKODE, KANDALA P.O., KATTAKADA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 012. 9K.C.SASIKUMAR, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.CHELLAPPAN.C.K., FLAT 6E, SOWPARNIKA, PROMEADE, POONTHI ROAD, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 029. 10S.SASIKUMARAN, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.S.SREEDHARAN, ASWATHY BHAVAN, AMMA GARDEN, ERATTAKKALUNGU, MALAYINKEEZHU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 571. 11P.V.ALIAS, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.VARKEY, PUTHIYATH HOUSE, AMIMALI P.O., IDUKKI DISTRICT-685 561. 12B.VASANTHAKUMARI, AGED 71 YEARS D/O.N.VAMADEVA PNICKER, VASANTHAM, TC 30/1893(2), PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 024. 13N.SUGATHAKUMARI, AGED 71 YEARS D/O.P.G.NARAYANA PILLAI, SUGATHA BHAVAN, HOUSE NO.601, PRASANTH NAGAR, ULLOOR, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 3 :: ``` THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 011. 14R.RAMSWAMY, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.A VENKITACHALAM, BHAGYA SADAN, WESTERN GAGE, THIRUNAKKARA, KOTTAYAM, PIN-686 001. 15C.SANTHA, AGED 70 YEARS D/O.CHELLAMA, TC 26/1900, GPO LANE, STATUE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 16L.A.NETTO, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.V.L.NETTO, E-320, NANDINI GARDEN, FOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 023. 17T.K.MOHANKUMAR, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.K.S.KESAVA PILLAI, TC 21/1295, SARADA BHAVAN, KRA-90, NEDUMCAUD, KARAMANA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 002. 18JOY THOMAS, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.THOMAS, THENGUMPALLIL, MUTTOM P.O., THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 576. 19MOTTI THOMAS, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.E.M.THOMAS, MOUNT PELASANT, MOOLEDEM P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 012. 20M.ALIYARUKUNJU, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.MAITHEEN KANNU, KANAKUZHY, PALLIVETTA. 21A.P.AVARACHAN, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.PAILY, ELAYIDATHU HOUSE, ADIMALI P.O., IDUKKI-685 561. 22P.C.JOSE, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.P.O.CHACKO, PARACKAL HOUSE, MALLOOSERY, KOTTAYAM- 686 041. 23K.M.JOSEPH, AGED 69 YEARS ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 4 :: ``` S/O.MATHEW JOSEPH, KATTORAMKUNNAL, PUTHUPALUY PO.O., KOTTAYAM. 24P.T.NALINI, AGED 72 YEARS D/O.T.KUNHIKELAPPAN, NAVYA, 1/3056 A, POLYTECHNIC ROAD, WEST HILL, KOZHIKODE-673 005. 25ABDUL SALAM, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.MOHAMMED, MADARI HOUSE, EDVANA P.O., MALAPPURAM- 676 541. 26K.K.VIJAYAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.GOVINDA KURUP, SREE RAGAM, WEST AVENUE, WEST HILL, CALICUT-673 005. 27K.KUNHIKRISHNAN NAMBOOTHIRI, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.NARAYAHAN NAMBOOTHIRI, KRISHNA SREE, ILLAMMOOLA,M MATTANNUR, KANNUR-670 702. 28ABDUL BASHEER, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.SULAIMAN RAWTHER, POOKKAD, CHEMBAKASSERRY, THATHAMANGALAM P.O., PALAKKAD-678 102. 29BETSY M.JOHN, AGED 70 YEARS D/O.M.G.JOHN, SHARON 17/593, BEHIND CIVIL STATION, PALAKKAD-678 001. 30K.RADHAKRISHNAN, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.KUNHIKRISHNAN PILLAI, SURABHI, KALASEKHARA, MANGALAM, VAIKOM P.O., KOTTAYAM. 31K.RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.KITTU, PALLATHANPULLY, THATHAMANGALAM P.O., PALAKKAD-678 102. 32R.SIVARAMA IYER, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.S.RAMAKRISHNA IYER, XXVII/20, PAVAKULANGARA ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM-682 301. 33P.V.CHACKO, ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 5 :: ``` AGED 72 YEARS S/O.VARGHEWE, VANNAMKARA, CMC 12, SHERTALLAY P.O., PIN-688 524. 34K.KUTTAN, AGED 97 YEARS S/O.CHATHAN, KODAPPARAMBIL HOUSE, DOWN HILL P.O., MALAPPURAM-676 519. 35THE DIVISIONAL MANAGER, LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004. BY ADVS. R.T.PRADEEP(B/O) SUNNY MATHEW SMT.PRABHA R.MENON ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11.08.2022, ALONG WITH WA.246/2021, 248/2021 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 6 :: # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED NIAS C.P. THURSDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2022 / 20TH SRAVANA, 1944 WA NO. 246 OF 2021 ``` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENTWP(C) 30677/2018 OF HIGH COURT OF ``` ## **`KERALA`** ## **`APPELLANT/S:`** ``` 1THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AD RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD. HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 2THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. BY ADV SRI.M.A.ASIF ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` 1P.V.BALAKRISHNAN AGED 73 YEARS S/O.CHEERAN MARAAR, VAISHAK, ACHIKKONAM P.O., KASARAGOD-671 121. 2M.SURENDRAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O.KARUNAKARAN, SARADA NIVAS, VELLUVAPPARA, AZHIKODE P.O., KANNUR-670 009. 3S.INDIRA DEVI, W/O.V.RAJKUMAR RAKHENDU, TC 92/2483, MERA-9, ANAYARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 029. ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 7 :: ``` 4THE DIVISIONAL MANAGER, LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004. BY ADVS. R.T.PRADEEP(B/O) SMT.PRABHA R.MENON ``` ``` THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11.08.2022, ALONG WITH WA.244/2021 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 8 :: # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED NIAS C.P. THURSDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2022 / 20TH SRAVANA, 1944 WA NO. 248 OF 2021 ``` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENTWP(C) 32176/2019 OF HIGH COURT OF ``` ``` KERALA ``` ## **`APPELLANT/S:`** ``` 1THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 2THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD, HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. BY ADV SRI.M.A.ASIF ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` 1B.SITA AGED 60 YEARS W/O. AYYAPPAN KURUKKAL M, YEENAM, TC 55/2436, VIVEKANANDA NAGAR VRA 93, PAPPANAMCODE P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 018 2ISHA V, AGED 62 YEARS W/O. SUDHIRAJAN N, NEDUVILA, CHENTHUPOORU, VENKODE P.O, VATTAPPARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 028. 3JAYACHANDRAN P.K, AGED 61 YEARS ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 9 :: ``` S/O. KRISHNA PANICKER, SREEJAYAM HOUSE NO. 53/2817A, KUNJAN BAVA ROAD, PONNURUNNI, OPPOSITE HARMONY ENCLAVE, POONITHURA VILLAGE, VYTTILA, ERNAKULAM-682 019 4AMBIKA M AGED 62 YEARS W/O. K. VIJAYACHANDRAN, KRISHNAKRIPA, AN-31A, ADARSH NAGAR, PATTOM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695 004 5ISA BEEVI K.A. AGED 61 YEARS W/O. U.V. MURALEEDHARAN, ANJALY HOUSE, KANJIRAKKADU, NEAR SNDP SHAKHA OFFICE, RAYONPURAM P.O, PERUMBAVOOR, PIN-683 543 6SHEELA CHANDRAN T, AGED 61 YEARS W/O. SARASAN, CHANDRA BHAVAN, VARANAM P.O, VARANAM S.O, ALAPPUZHA-688555 7K. RAMESH KUMAR, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. R. KRISHNAN NAIR, TC 13/1098(1), ULLUKKODU VEEDU, CHATTAMBI SWAMY NAGAR, KANNAMMOOLA, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 011. 8SAJU PETER, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. M.C. PETER, SUN DALE, HOUSE NO. SIRRA-77, SUNDARA IYER ROAD, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD-679 101 9ASHOK KUMAR V, AGED 60 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN PILLAI, T.C. 25/1131, JAYA BHAVAN, MANORAMA ROAD, EAST THAMPANOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695 001 10P. JEEVADAS, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. PAKYAM, SPRING WHITE, PR GARDENS, POOJAPPPURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695 012 11RUBY ZACHARIAH AGED 61 YEARS W/O. V. PAHALA, T.C. X/1132, ALPHA COTTAGE, BENEDICT NAGAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 015. ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 10 :: ``` 12UNNI .E.T, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. THAMI, ELIYATH THARAYIL HOUSE, EDAPAL P.O, MALAPPURAM-629576. 13V. SASIDHARAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. VASU, NIDHI, THEKKEVILA P.O, KOLLAM-691 016 14R. VIJAYAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. P. RAGHAVAN, THENGULILAYI HOUSE, OLLEGE NAGAR 182, THILLERY, KOLLAM-691 001 15S. SASANKAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. SIVADASAN, GEETHANJALI, AMBEDHKAR SCHOOL ROAD, KALPETTA P.O, CHUNDALE, WAYANAD-673 123. 16K.B. RAJANAND, AGED 60 YEARS S/O. K. INDIRA THAMPURATTY, RAJ BHAVAN, CHERPULASSERY, PALAKKAD-679503 17T.G. KAMALASANAN NAIR, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, SIVAM HOUSE, AIMANAM, PARIPPU P.O, KOTTAYAM, PIN-686 014 18RADHAKRISHNAN K.P., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. K.N. PARAMESWARAN NAIR, KIZHAKKINATTU HOUSE, S.H. MOUNT P.O, PERUMPAIKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM-686 006 19VIJAYAN M.V, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAN NAIR, ASWATHI, PANG ROAD, KULATHUR P.O, MALAPPURAM-679 338 20A. UNNI, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. LAKSHMI, ATHOLI HOUSE, MUNDUPARAMBA P.O, MALAPPURAM-676 509 21LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004, REPRESENTED BY ITS ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 11 :: ``` DIVISIONAL MANAGER. BY ADVS. BIJU BALAKRISHNAN K.MOHANAKANNAN(B/O) SMT.V.S.RAKHEE SHRI.AJMAL P. ``` ``` THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11.08.2022, ALONG WITH WA.244/2021 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 12 :: ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR & THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED NIAS C.P. THURSDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2022 / 20TH SRAVANA, 1944 WP(C) NO. 7804 OF 2021 ``` ``` PETITIONERS: ``` ``` 1BALAKRISHNAN P.G AGED 64 YEARS S/O. P.K.GOPALAN, TC 9/2237, SOUPARNIKA, MAVARTHALAKONAM, SREEKARYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 017. 2GOPAKUMAR V. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. VISWANATHA PILLAI, NARMADA, TC 31/2213, THAMARAKULAMANE, SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 010. 3JAYAKUMARI K. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. P.BAHULEYAN, BHADRA DEEPAM, TC 50/616(4), KALADY, KARAMANA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 002. 4RAMAKRISHNAN NAIR S. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. K.SANKARAPILLAI, ERAVIPURATHU VEEDU, TC/38/1038 KGRA-31, KONATHUKULANGARA, VATTIYOORKAVU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 5BEENAKUMARI M.D. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. PRADEEPKUMAR, TC 11/1706, LEKSHMI PRABHA, SNEHA JUNCTION, PAROTTUKONAM, NALANCHIRA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 015. 6GEORGE KURIAKOSE AGED 65 YEARS S/O. JOSEPH KURIAKOSE, KONGAMALAYIL HOUSE, NIRA-28, NALANCHIRA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 015. 7JALALUDEEN M. AGED 71 YEARS, S/O. MOHAMMED MYTHEEN, JAMEELA MANZIL, ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 13 :: ``` TC 20/1438, KUNJALUMOODU,KARAMANA P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 002. 8MALIK AHAMED M.S. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. S.M.SHAHUL HAMEED, NAJATH TC 43/724, POURNAMI NAGAR, II STREET, MANACAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 009. 9GEETHA RANI B. AGED 68 YEARS W/O. RADHAKRISHNAN NAIR, TC/22/462(2), KRA 90, SREERAGAM, KONCHIRAVILA, MANACAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 009. 10GOPALAKRISHNAN M. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KANDAKUTTY, SRA 140A, ILLIPPODE, VATTIYURKAVU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695013. 11KUSALAKUMARI G.K. AGED 62 YEARS W/O. SURENDRAN NAIR, S.K.NIVAS, PACHA PALUVALLY P.O., NANNIYODE, KURUPUZHA THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 562. 12LALITHAMBIKA KUMARI S. AGED 68 YEARS W/O. N.KUTTAPPAN NAIR, PULIYARTHALA BUNGALOW, TC 16/372, EVRA 193, EDAPPAZHANJI, THYCADU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 014. 13CHANDRIKA C. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. MANOHARAN NAIR C, HARISREE, PAZHAKUTTY P.O., NEDUMANGADU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 561. 14VIJAYALEKSHMYAMMA J. AGED 68 YEARS D/O. KUMARA PILLAI, CHANDRASREE, MUDABVOORPARA, BALARAMAPURAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 501. 15VIJAYALEKSHMI K. AGED 68 YEARS W/O. K.CHANDRA BABU, TC 26/1847-1, PULIMOODU, UNNIES LANE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 16VEERAKUMARN THAMPY B. AGED 75 YEARS ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 14 :: ``` S/O. BALAKRISHNAN THAMPI, ANUGRAHA, KOCHICKAL COMPOUND, PATTOM PALACE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004. 17SANALKUMARI R. AGED 63 YEARS D/O. MADHAVAN PILLAI, GOKULAM, TC 10/82, (13/92), GURU NAGAR, MANNANTHALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 015. 18SARADAMANI C. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. C.D.AIYAPPAN PILLAI, 132, AIYAPPA SADANAM, KACHANI, KARAKULAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 564. 19SUDARSANAKUMARAN NAIR M. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. TC6/565/2, SRA 67, SHANGRILA, ELIPPODE, VATTIYOORKAVU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 20SUDARSANAN S. AGED 62 YEARS S/O. SUKUMARA PANICKER, VILAYIL VEEDU, THACHONAM, PALLIMUKKU, VATTATHAMARA P.O., KOLLAM-691 536. 21JAYAMOHANAN PILLAI K.P. AGED 67 YEARS S/O. P.N.PARAMESWARAN, UNNITHAN, ASWATHY, KIDANGAYAM, PATHARAM P.O., SOORANAD SOUTH, KOLLAM-690 522. 22PERUMAL S. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. SHANMUGAM, MANIS, NEAR KRISHNAN KOVIL, THOLICODE P.O., PUNALUR, KARAVALOOR, KOLLAM-691 333. 23RAJASEKHARAN PILLAI P. AGED 68 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHA PILLAI, KNRA-94, KAIRALI NAGAR, MULAMKADAKAM, THIRUMULLAVARAM P.O., KOLLAM-691 012. 24SUKUMARAN M.K. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN R., PRANAVAM, SANTHI NAGAR, PULAMON P.O., KOTTARAKARA-691 531. 25LEELAMANIAMMA V.P. AGED 70 YEARS W/O. PURUSHOTHAMAN PILLAI, NANTHAVANATHIL VADAKKETHIL, LAKASSERY, CHENGANOOR, ALAPPUZHA-689 ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 15 :: ``` 121. 26JAYARAJ T.R. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. V.A.RAJAPPAN, RAJ NIVAS, KANICHUKULANGARA P.O., MARARIKKULAM NORTH, ALAPPUZHA-688 582. 27MOHANKUMAR P.C. AGED 68 YEARS S/O. CHELLAPPAN NAIR, PAIKKAD, PACHA, CHEKKIDIKKADU P.O., EDATHUA, ALAPPUZHA-689573. 28CRYSACH JOSEPH AGED 65 YEARS S/O. JOSEPH CHERIAN, ENCHIPARAMBIL HOUSE, THELLAKOM P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 016. 29RAJENDRAN NAIR M.D. AGED 65 YEARS S/O. N.DAMODARAN PILLAI, SREELEKSHMY, MEVALLOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 609. 30GEORGE VARGHESE AGED 66 YEARS S/O. C.V.GEORGE, CHIRAPPURATHU HOUSE, THOTTACKAD P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 39. 31MADHUSOODANAN NAIR P.N. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN NAIR, SINDOORAM, PUZHAVATH, CHANGANASSERY, KOTTAYAM-686 101. 32NIRMALA JOSEPH AGED 60 YEARS W/O. K.J. JOY, PANACHINANIKURUVANMAKEL, LALAM (PART), ANTHINAD, KOTTAYAM-686 651. 33PHILIP C.P AGED 67 YEARS S/O. PHILIPOSE C.A., CHEMMATHU HOUSE, MANARCAD P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 019. 34PRAKASAN P. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. PARAMESWARAN NAIR, SWATHY, KUMARANALLOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 016. 35RAJAN B. AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. P.K.BHASKARAN, PAMPANAL, ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 16 :: - `ETTUMANOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 631.` - `36 RAVEENDRANATHAN NAIR K.V. AGED 65 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN NAIR, KAVITHA, OZHATHIL LANE, MUTTAMBALAM VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM-686 001.` - `37 SASIKUMAR B. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. K.BHASKARAN NAIR, MANIMALA, VADAKKETHIL HOUSE, CHINGAVANAM P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 531.` - `38 SUNNY VARKEY AGED 62 YEARS S/O. VARKEY DEVASIA, KALLOOR, 2B NEELIMA APARTMENTS, KANJIKUZHY P.O., MUTTAMBALAM, KOTTAYAM-686 004.` - `39 AMBIKA KUMARI N. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. RAMACHANDRAN, SOWPARNIKA, NEAR UNION CLUB, KOTTAYAM-686 001.` - `40 PHILIP A.M. AGED 68 YEARS S/O. A.C.MATHEW, ASSARIPARAMBIL HOUSE, MEMURI P.O., NEAR KURUPPANTHARA KADAVU, KOTTAYAM-686 603.` - `41 BABY ISSAC AGED 67 YEARS S/O. ISSAC, VATHALLOOR HOUSE, MARIYAPURAM P.O., IDUKKI-685 602.` - `42 SCARIA CHACKO AGED 64 YEARS S/O. CHACKO, PERINCHERIKALAM, MULAKARAMEDU, KATTAPPANA P.O., IDUKKI-685 515.` - `43 MOHANAKUMARY S. AGED 67 YEARS D/O. P.RAMACHANDRANNAIR, HAMSIKA, PANDITS COLONY, KOWDIAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 003.` - `44 REGHUNATHAN V. AGED 65 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN ACHARI, HOUSE NO.6, VYASA NAGER, PARUTHIPARA, MUTTADA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAURAM-695 025.` - `45 PHILIP KURIEN AGED 63 YEARS` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 17 :: ``` S/O. T.A.KURIEN, THARAKAT, A106, PURAVA ETERNITY, ATHANI, THENGODE P.O., KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM-682 030. 46KURIAN MATHEW AGED 64 YEARS S/O. N.M.MATHAI, THOOPPUMKARA HOUSE, EAST MARADY P.O., MUVATTUPUZHA-686 673. 47SASIDHARAN NAIR K.G. AGED 67 YEARS S/O. C.V.GOVINDAN NAIR, KIZHAKKEPURATHU HOUSE, KUTHUKUZHY P.O., KOTHAMANGALAM-686 691. 48DAISY R.P. AGED 62 YEARS W/O. M.Y.THANKACHAN, MUNDAKKAL HOUSE, PANCODE P.O., VADAVUCODE, ERNAKULAM-682 310. 49P.A.MAIMOONA BEEVI AGED 62 YEARS W/O. K.V.ABDUL RAHIMAN, KOZHIMOOLAPARAMBU HOUSE, UC COLLEGE P.O., ALUVA-683 102. 50PAUL K.K. AGED 68 YEARS S/O. K.P.KURIAKOSE, KURIECKAL, VEMBILLY HOUSE, NEDUNGAPRA P.O., ERNAKULAM-683 545. 51SHIBU CHACKO AGED 62 YEARS S/O. M.T.CHACKO, KILIYANTHIL HOUSE, CONVENT ROAD, THOTTAKKATTUKARA P.O., ALUVA-683 108. 52SREEDEVI P.K. AGED 60 YEARS W/O. T.K.RAJA RAJA VARMA THAMPURAN, SREELAKAM, PARAKKADATH, KOYICKAL, KANNANKULANGARA, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM-682 301. 53VIJAYAN B. NAIR AGED 63 YEARS S/O. M.R.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, REVATHI, MUDAVOOR P.O., MUVATTUPUZHA, ERNAKULAM-686 669. 54P.KURIYAKOSE ITTAN AGED 65 YEARS S/O. P.T.ITTAN PILLAI, PAVOODATH HOUSE, PUTHUSSERY ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA P.O., ERNAKULAM-682 301. ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 18 :: ``` 55IPEKUTTY K.A. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. AHAROCHAN, KOLLANNUR MOOLEPAD HOUSE 56, INDIRA NAGAR IST AVENUE, KUNNAMKULAM P.O., THRISSUR-680 503. 56JAYAPRAKASH P.A. AGED 65 YEARS S/O. AYAPPAN, PENGATH HOUSE, VYLOPPILLY NAGAR, IIND STREET, EAST FORT P.O., THRISSUR-680 005. 57KRISHNA VARIER K.R. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. RAMACHANDRA VARIER T.R., SREESAILAM, PURANATTUKARA P.O., ADAT, THRISSUR-680 551. 58RENUKA V.K. AGED 57 YEARS W/O. P.K.BALAGOPALAN, HOUSE NO.29/158, VALLATHKOYIPPILLI HOUSE, KUNNATHUMANA LANE, THRISSUR- 680 001. 59SANTHAKUMARI E. AGED 63 YEARS W/O. UNNIKRISHNAN, SIVAKRIPA, SN PARK, POOTHOLE P.O., THRISSUR-680 004. 60UNNICHEKKAN V.K. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KORAN, VARIYATHUPARAMBIL HOUSE, AVITTATHUR, YUVARASHMI CLUB, KADUPPASSERY, THRISSUR-680 683. 61VIJAYAKUMAR V.P. AGED 66 YEARS S/O. N.VASUDEVAN NAIR, TC 20/286, KADAKAMTHALAYKAL, MELARANOOR, KARAMANA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 002. 62C.P.RAVI SHANKAR AGED 64 YEARS S/O. E.M.K. NAIR, 6/157, SHIVALIK, PATTANCHERY P.O., PALAKKAD-678 532. 63RAMACHANDRAN S. AGED 66 YEARS S/O. SINGARAVELU, 4/519, K.G.NAGAR, NEAR V.G.RAO NAGAR, UDUMALPET, TIRUPPUR-642 126. 64SEETHARAMAN S. ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 19 :: ``` AGED 6 YEARS S/O. SURYANARAYANAN M.S., NORTH VILLAGE, MELARCODE P.O., PALAKKAD-678 703. 65DEVADAS P.L. AGED 66 YEARS S/O. LAKSHMANAN, KARTHIKA, KENATHPARAMBU, KUNNATHURMEDU POST, PALAKKAD-678 013. 66SANTHAKUMARI M. AGED 65 YEARS W/O. MUKUNDAN T., AKSHAYAM, NEAR THALI TEMPLE, ANGADIPURAM, MALAPPURAM-679 321. 67SUDHAKARAN P.M. AGED 62 YEARS S/O. RAMUNNI, ASWATHI, MUNDOTH, ULLIYERI P.O., KOZHIKODE-673 620. 68RAJENDRAN D. AGED 68 YEARS S/O. K.DAMODHARAN, VINEETHA BHAVAN, KKP3 NAGAR, HOUSE NO.90, KULASEKHARAM, KODUNGANOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 69SOMASUNDARAN KOYYODAN AGED 63 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAN C., KOYYODAN HOUSE, CHEMBILODE, MOWANCHERY P.O., KANNUR-670 613. 70UMMERKUTTY C.P. AGED 63 YEARS S/O. M.C.KUNJAYANKUTTY, MARWA GARDENS, KAYANI P.O., MANAKKAYI, PAZHASSI VILLAGE, CHAVASSERY, KANNUR-670 702. 71CHERIYON NAIR AGED 65 YEARS S/O. KANNAN NAIR P., HARISREE, MELANGOT, KANJANGAD, KASARAGOD-671 315. 72GOPINADHAN M. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. A.K.NARAYANAN NAIR, PAYANGAD, VATTAMTHATTA POST, MUNNAD, KASARAGOD-671 542. 73LEELAMMA K. AGED 63 YEARS ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 20 :: ``` W/O. M.V.SIVADAS PERUMAL, SAI PRABHA, NITTADUKKAM, HOSDURG, KANJANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD-671 315. 74B.MAHABALA BHAT AGED 68 YEARS S/O. B.VENKATARAMANA BHAT, CCC82, SHREE RAKSHA, CHINMAYA COLONY, VIDYANAGAR, KASARAGOD-671 123. 75RAVINDRAN T.V. AGED 67 YEARS S/O. CHAVINIYAN, SREERAGAM, NADAKKAVU, UDINOOR, KASARAGOD-671 310 BY ADVS. BIJU BALAKRISHNAN SMT.V.S.RAKHEE SMT.K.J.GISHA SHRI.AJMAL P. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - `1 THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR.` - `2 THE MANAGING DIRECTOR THE KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, STATUE JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.` - `3 LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004 REPRESENTED BY ITS DIVISIONAL MANAGER` - `4 ADDL R4 AREGISTRAR CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES Addl.R4 is impleaded as per order dated 11.08.2022 in IA 1/2021. BY ADVS. M.A.ASIF SRI.K.MOHANAKANNAN` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON ``` ``` 11.08.2022, ALONG WITH WA.244/2021 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 21 :: ## **J U D G M E N T** ## **A.K Jayasankaran Nambiar,J.** As all these writ appeals involve the same issue they are taken up together for consideration and disposed by this common judgment. The brief facts necessary for the disposal of these writ appeals are as follows: 2. The petitioners in the writ petitions were employees of the appellant bank and they had approached this court through the writ petitions aforementioned aggrieved by the quantum of gratuity received by them at the time of their retirement. The case of the petitioners briefly was that, in terms of a special scheme, that was constituted by the respondent bank with the Life Insurance Corporation, for payment of gratuity, they were entitled to gratuity amounts without any ceiling as was the case under the Payment of Gratuity Act but the appellants herein had sanctioned only an amount equivalent to the ceiling amount under the Gratuity Act to them. They placed reliance on a full bench judgment of this court in **Chandrasekharan Nair G. & Others v. Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank** W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 22 :: **Ltd.& Others (2017 (4) KLT 276)** to contend that in view of the express provision of Section 4(5) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, in cases where there was a superior benefit available for payment of gratuity, the ceiling provisions under the Payment of Gratuity Act could not be a bar for the employee concerned to receive the superior benefits. 3. The learned Single Judge who considered the writ petitions found force in the submissions of the petitioners and after placing reliance on the full bench judgment of this Court in **Chandrasekharan Nair** (supra) proceeded to allow the writ petitions by directing the appellants herein to pay the balance amount of gratuity due to the writ petitioners along with interest @ 9% from the date the amount fell due. 4. In the appeals before us it is the contention of Sri.Asif, learned counsel for the appellant bank that the learned Single Judge erred in directing the payment of differential amounts towards gratuity to the writ petitioners/respondents herein. It is in particular pointed out, with reference to the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the LIC, that the respondent bank had altered the terms of its agreement with LIC with regard to the payment of gratuity amounts under the scheme entered into with LIC. That in 2006 the trustees of the fund had requested the LIC to modify the W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 23 :: terms of the scheme so as to incorporate cap/ceiling on the maximum amount of gratuity payable in respect of the employees. Accordingly, a ceiling limit was fixed such that it would correspond to the ceiling fixed under the Payment of Gratuity Act. In continuation of the above process, a further amendment was made to this scheme in 2010 corresponding to the increase in the ceiling limit under the Payment of Gratuity Act to the amount of Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten lakh only). It is stated that in as much as the alternate scheme, to which the writ petitioners were party, now contained ceiling provisions with regard to the maximum amount of gratuity payable to them, they could not aspire for any amount in excess of the ceiling amount so fixed under the scheme. The fact that the ceiling amounts since fixed under the scheme correspond with the ceiling amount fixed under the Payment of Gratuity Act is also brought to our notice to contend that there was no differential amount payable to the writ petitioners, since they have already been paid the amount of Rs.3.5/10 lakhs as applicable. 5. Per contra, it is the submission of learned counsel for the writ petitioners that Sri.Chandrasekharn Nair who was the party in the case that was eventually decided by the full bench of this Court in **Chandrasekharan Nair G. & Others** (supra) was also an employee of the appellant bank and he had received amounts in excess of the ceiling prescribed under the Payment of W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 24 :: Gratuity Act/Scheme and under such circumstances there was no justification in denying similar benefits to the writ petitioners herein. 6. On a consideration of the rival submissions, we find force in the submission of the learned counsel for the appellants herein. While it may be a fact that at the time of joining the services of the bank the scheme that was invoked did not contemplate any ceiling for the payment of gratuity, the facts before us clearly indicate that a ceiling was subsequently introduce in the scheme at the instance of the trustees in the scheme and the LIC. The ceiling provisions were corresponding to the like provisions inserted in the Payment of Gratuity Act and hence with effect from 2006, the employees did not effectively get the benefit of Section 4(5) of Payment of Gratuity Act, since there was no alternate scheme which offered better benefits to the employees than what is offered in terms of Section 4(2) of the Payment of Gratuity Act. In view of the, said undisputed facts obtaining in this case, we find that the said directions in the impugned judgment that require the appellants herein to pay differential amounts to the writ petitioner cannot be legally sustained. The further argument of the learned counsel for the petitioners that they should be given identical benefits as was extended to Sri. Chandrasekharan Nair, the litigent in the full bench decision reported in **(2017 (4) KLT** W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 25 :: **276)** also does not appeal to us since a wrong benefit extended to another employee cannot be the basis for claiming parity in the matter of payment of gratuity when the said payment would militate against the provisions of the Statute. At any rate, we are informed by the learned counsel for the appellant bank that steps have already been initiated to recover the erroneous payments made in favour of the said Sri.Chandrasekharan Nair from the employees of the bank who are responsible for effecting the said payment. In the light of the above discussion, we set aside the impugned judgment of the learned Single Judge and allow these 3 writ appeals. In view of our decision as above in the writ appeals, the W.P.(C.) No. 7804/2021 stands dismissed. ## **Sd/-** ## **A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR JUDGE** ## **Sd/-** AP/11-8 **MOHAMMED NIAS C.P. JUDGE** W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 26 :: ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 7804/2021** PETITIONER EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 18.9.2017 OF THE FULL BENCH OF THIS HON'BLE COURT REPORTED IN 2017 (4) KLT 276 (FB) EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 2.11.2017 IN WPC NO.19892/2009. EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 11.5.2018 BY SUPREME COURT OF INDIA IN THE SPECIAL LEAVE PETITIONS. EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PETITIONERS 62 TO 65 DATED 3.2.2021 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT BANK. EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 25.2.2021 SUBMITTED BY OTHER PETITIONERS. EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 7.12.2020 IN WPC NO.32176/2019 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. EXHIBIT P7 TRUE TYPE WRITTEN COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 22.6.2018 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KERALA STATE COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD. Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 22/06/2018 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD ## **RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS** |EXHIBIT R3(a)|TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 11.08.2010| |---|---| ||FROM THE BANK REQUSTING TO ENHANCE THE| ||GRATUITY.| |EXHIBIT R3(b)|TRUE COPY OF THE DEED OF VARIATION DATED| ||4.4.2012| |EXHIBIT R3(c)|TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST DATED 21.03.2014| ||MADE BY THE RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE| ||45TH PETITIONER.| |EXHIBIT R3(d)|TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST DATED 21.3.2014| ||MADE BY THE RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE| ||45TH PETITIONER| |EXHIBIT R3(e)|TRUE COPY OF THE CHEQUE FORWARDING LETTER| ||DATED 21.01.2014 MADE BY THE RESPONDENT| ||BANK IN RESPECT OF THE 39TH PETITIONER.| |EXHIBIT R3(f)|TRUE COPY OF THE CHEQUE FORWARDING LETTER| W.A No.244 of 2021 & con. cases :: 27 :: DATED 22.03.2014 MADE BY THE RESPONDENT BANK IN RESPECT OF THE 45TH PETITIONER > EXHIBIT R3 (g) TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST DATED 14.09.2007 MADE BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT BANK IN RESPECT OF TEH 7TH PETITIONER. EXHIBIT R3(h) TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST DATED 15.02.2008 MADE BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT BANK IN RESPECT OF TEH 25TH PETITIONER. EXHIBIT R3(I) TRUE COPY OF THE CHEQUE FORWARDING LETTER DATED 18.09.2007 MADE BY THE RESPONDENT BANK IN RESPECT OF THE 7TH PETITIONER. EXHIBIT R3(j) TRUE COPY OF THE CHEQUE FORWARDING LETTER DATED 23.02.2008 MADE BY THE RESPONDENT BANK IN RESPECT OF THE 25TH PETITIONER. ANNEXURE R3(g) TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST MADE BY THE APPELLANT BANK AND THE RESPONDENT ENDORSEMENT DATED 07.08.2004 ANNEXURE R3(h) TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 03.01.2006