Gauhati High Court

Page No.# 1/16 vs The Union Of India on 27 October, 2025

Author: Soumitra Saikia

Bench: Soumitra Saikia

                                                                Page No.# 1/16

GAHC010231322025




                                                          undefined

                      THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT
  (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

                          Case No. : WP(C)/6075/2025

         ABDUL HAMID SHEIKH AND 64 ORS.
         S/O LT. KAMAR UDDIN MUNSHI, R/O CHATIBORGAON, P.O.- DHALIGAON,
         DIST- CHIRANG, PIN-783385, ASSAM

         2: KUNJA MOHAN ROY
          LT. HARAKANTA ROY
          RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BAKHARAPARA PART-2
         WARD NO.23
          P.O.- BONGAIGAON
          DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
          PIN-783380
         ASSAM

         3: MANORANJAN DAS
          SON OF LT. CHITTA RANJAN DAS
          RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 32
          BISHNU RABHA PATH
         VILLAGE- BAMUNPARA
          LOKHRA
          DISTRICT- GUWAHATI-1
          PIN- 781034
         ASSAM

         4: MUKTIDHAR SARMA
          SON OF LT. MAHIDHAR SARMA
          RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BALEN ROY PATH
          DHALIGAON
          DISTRICT- PIN-783385
         ASSAM. BONGAIGAON

         5: KRISHNA KANT. MILI
          SON OF DURGESWAR MILI
          RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BARBARI MAHATMA GANDHI PATH
          P.O.- HENGRABARI
                                    Page No.# 2/16

DISTRICT- KAMRUP (M)
PIN-781036
ASSAM

6: RAMA KANTA BARMAN
 SON OF LT. JEWRAM BARMAN
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 68
WARD NO. 13
 LOKHRA
 DISTRICT-KAMRUP (M)
 GUWAHATI
 PIN- 781040
ASSAM

7: AZMAL HUSSAIN
 SON OF LT. AZIZUR RAHMAN
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 80
 F.A. AHMED NAGAR
 PURAN BASTI
 SIXMILE
 P.O.- KHANAPARA
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
 GUWAHATI
 PIN- 781022
ASSAM

8: DIPEN KUMAR SARMA
 SON OF LT. HARISH CHANDRA SARMA
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 92
 SANTIPUR HILL SIDE
 PNGB ROAD
 P.0
 BHARALUMUKH
 DISTRICT-KAMRUP(M)
 GUWAHATI
 PIN- 781009
ASSAM

9: ABDUL HAMID PARAMANIK
 SON OF LT. JURAN ALI PRAMANIK
 RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BARTALOWA
 P.O.- DHALIGAON
 DISTRICT- CHIRANG
 PIN- 783385
ASSAM

10: MD. BASER ALI
 SON OF LT. MAKRAM ALI
                                        Page No.# 3/16

RESIDENT OF VILLAGE SATIBORGAON
KAJALGAON
P.O.- DHALIGAON
DISTRICT- CHIRANG
PIN- 783385
ASSAM

11: AMULYA CHARAN DAS

SON OF LT. RATNESWAR DAS
RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BAKHRAPARA
WARD NO. 21
DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
PIN 783380 ASSAM

12: UJJALA SEN
 DAUGHTER LT. JOGENDRA CHAKRABORTY
 NATH RESIDENT OF WARD NO.9
 NETAJI NAGAR
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

13: MADHAB CHANDRA TALUKDAR
 SON OF LT. DINA BANDHU TALUKDAR
 RESIDENT OF VILLAGE BHAKRAPARA NO.1
WARD NO. 21
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

14: MD. MASADAT ALI
 SON OF LT. ABDUL MOTLEB
 RESIDENT OF VILLAGE UJANPARA
 DOLAIGAON
 P.O.-BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

15: NABA KUMAR DAS
 SON LT. PRAHLAD CHANDRA DAS
 RESIDENT OF VILLAGE METUAKUCHI
 BHAKTARKUR
 P.O.-BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
                                       Page No.# 4/16

PIN- 781301 ASSAM

16: DIBENDRA CHANDRA RAY
 SON OF LT. MAYA RAM RAY
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO.23
WARD NO. 23
 BHAKRAPARA PART-2
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

17: BABUL CHANDRA MONDAL
 SON OF LT. JITENDRA CHANDRA MONDAL
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 37/16
 NATUNPARA MISSION ROAD
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

18: ABDUL KARIM AHMED
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.13
 GARU NANAK NAGAR
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

19: BALEN CHANDRA TAHABILDER
 SON OF LT. SARBA NANDA TAHABILDER
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 20
 BAKHRAPARA PART-1
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN-783380
ASSAM

20: ASHIT BARMAN CHOUDHURY
 SON OF LT. BISWESWAR CHOUDHURY
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 91/A
WARD NO. 9
 NETAJI NAGAR
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAION
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM
                                      Page No.# 5/16

21: KAMINI BRAHMA
 SON OF LT. SUNILAL BRAHMA
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 5
 MAIBONG NWGWR
 P.O.- KOKRAJHAR
 DISTRICT- KOKRAJHAR
 PIN- 783370
ASSAM

22: NIREN CHANDRA DAS
 SON OF LT. UZMA RAM DAS
 RESIDENT OF NEAR CHILARAI STADIUM
 P.O.- BONGAIGAION
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAION
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

23: SANKAR LAL DAS
 SON OF NANI GOPAL DAS
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 17
 SNEHA LATA BHAWAN
VIP COLONY
 BOC GATE
 P.O- BONGAIGAION
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

24: SAMESH BASUMATARY
 SON OF LT. MAHANSING BASUMATARY
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 4
 HOUSE NO. 1266
 GWJWNPURI
 1 NO. P.O.- CHAPAGURI
 DISTRICT- CHIRANG
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

25: SHYAM CHANDRA SARKAR
 SON OF KARTIK CH. SARKAR
 RESIDENT OF SHIVAM NAGAR
 NORTH BONGAIGAION
 P.O.- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAION
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

26: LUREN CHANDRA ROY
                                   Page No.# 6/16

SON OF LT. GANYA PRASAD ROY
RESIDENT OF NEAR DEEO OFFICE
BONGAIGAION
P.O.-BONGAIGAON
DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
PIN- 783380
ASSAM

27: KALYAN KUMAR DAS
 SON OF LT. KAILASH CHANDRA DAS
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 3
 P.O.- SARUPATHAR TOWN
 NEAR SDO OFFICE
 DISTRICT- GOLAGHAT
 PIN- 785601
ASSAM

28: NRIPENDRA CH. CHOUDHURY
 SON OF LT. DINESWAR CHOUDHURY
 RESIDENT OF MAJPARA
 DOLAIGAON
 P.O..- BONGAIGAION
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

29: KAMALA KANTA ROY
 SON OF LT. RAMESH CHANDRA ROY
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 24
 BAGESWAR PARA
 BAKHRAPARA PART 2
 P.O.- BONGAIGAION
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN-783380
ASSAM

30: AJIT KUMAR CHAKRAVARTY
 SON OF LTD. SUBODH CHAKRAVARTY
 RESIDENT OF VILLAGE JYOTINAGAR
 NORTH BONGAIGAON
 P.O.BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN-783380
ASSAM

31: GOPINATH DAS
 SON OF LT. DHARANI DHAR DAS
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 14
                                     Page No.# 7/16

BAKHRAPARA
P.O..- BONGAIGAON
11 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
PIN- 783380
ASSAM

32: JITENDRA NATH DAS
 SON OF LT. DAMODAR DAS
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.21
 NEAR HARI MANDIR
 BAKHRAPARA
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

33: PHUKAN CHANDRA BARMAN
 SON OF LT. CHANDRA KANTA BARMAN
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.20
 BAKHRAPARA
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN-783380
ASSAM

34: MAHINDRA NATH ROY
 SON OF LT. LALIT CHANDRA ROY
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.9
 P.O.- GAURIPUR
 DISTRICT- DHUBRI
 PIN- 783331
ASSAM

35: MOSADDEQUE ALFARUQUE
 SON OF LT. ABDUL MASUD ALFARUQUE
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 7
 N.S. ROAD
 NEW MARKET
 P.O..- DHUBRI
 DISTRICT- DHUBRI
 PIN- 783301
ASSAM

36: TANGKARESH DAS
 SON OF RATNESWAR DAS
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 17
WARD NO. 24
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
                                     Page No.# 8/16

DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
PIN- 783380
ASSAM

37: MINATI KARMAKAR
 DAUGHTER LT. PRAN GOPAL KARMAKAR
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.15
 COLLEGE ROAD
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN-783380
ASSAM

38: DIMBESWAR BARMAN
 SON OF LT. BISWANATH BARMAN
 RESIDENT OF DIGDARI
 P.O..- KAKRAGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783372
ASSAM

39: NARAYAN CH. KAKOTI
 SON OF LT. DEBESWAR KAKOTI
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 4
 MILONPUR
 P.O..- PATHSALA
 DISTRICT- BAJALI
 PIN-781325
ASSAM

40: ABDUL MATLEB ALI
 SON OF DEWAN ALI MUNSHI
 RESIDENT OF KHALILPUR
 BIDYAPARA PT2
 P.O..- DHUBRI
 DISTRICT- DHUBRI
 PIN- 783324
ASSAM

41: CHANCHAL KUMAR SAHA
 SON OF LT. DWIJENDRA LAL SAHA
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 25
 SALBARI
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM
                                    Page No.# 9/16

42: ABDUL HYE SARKAR
 SON OF RAMJAN ALI SARKAR
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 14
 PRAGATI NAGAR
 P.O..- KHALILPUR
 DISTRICT- DHUBRI
 PIN- 783325
ASSAM

43: PRABIR KUMAR SHARMA
 SON OF LT. MADHAB CHANDRA SARMA
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.-03
 BAKHRAPARA PART-2
 P.O.BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

44: RAM KRISHNA CHOUDHURY
 SON OF LT. GOPINATH CHOUDHURY
 RESIDENT OF MILON NAGAR
 BIDYAPUR
 P.O..- SIMLAGURI
 DISTRICT- BARPETA
 PIN- 781313
ASSAM

45: PARTHA SARATH PRAMANIK
 SON OF GOPINATH PRAMANIK
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 2
 P.O..- ABHYAPURI
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783384
ASSAM

46: DHANANJOY OJAH
 SON OF LT. JAGABANDHU OJAH
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 13
 P.O..- SUNDARIDIA KALAYAHATI
 DISTRICT- BARPETA
 PIN- 781314
ASSAM

47: RATNESWAR TALUKDAR
 SON OF LT. MAHENDRA TALUKDAR
 RESIDENT OF JAPARKUCHI
 MAHAT NAGAR
 DISTRICT- NALBARI
                                   Page No.# 10/16

PIN- 781334
ASSAM

48: JAGDISH BARMAN
 SON OF SUSHIL MOHAN BARMAN
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 14
 DOLAIGAON
 P.O..- BONGAIGAON
 DISTRICT- BONGAIGAON
 PIN- 783380
ASSAM

49: MANORANJAN DEURI
 SON OF LT. GHANADSHYAM DEURI
 RESIDENT OF MOUTUPURI
 P.O..- HOWLY
 DISTRICT- BARPETA
 PIN- 781316
ASSAM

50: BUJAN ALI
 SON OF LT. ALIMSHA ALI
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 8
 BYE LANE3
 JYOTINAGAR
 DISTRICT- NALBARI
 PIN-781335
ASSAM

51: HIRANYA KUMAR BRAHMA
 SON OF LT. MOTILAL BRAHMA
 RESIDENT OF SILPOTAGAON
 P.O..- KAJALGAON
 DISTRICT- CHIRANG
 PIN- 783385
ASSAM

52: DILIP DUTTA
 SON OF LT. MANIK DUTTA
 RESIDENT OF TARAJAN GAYANGAON
 BORACHUK JORHAT
 DISTRICT-JORHAT
 PIN- 785001
ASSAM

53: KALYAN KUMAR DAS
 SON OF LT. KAILASH CHANDRA DAS
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO. 3
                                          Page No.# 11/16

SARUPATHAR TOWN
SARUPATHAR
GOLAGHAT
P.O. GOLAGHAT
DISTRICT- GOLAGHAT
PIN- 785601
ASSAM

54: SARBESWAR PATHAK
 SON OF LT. MATI RAM PATHAK
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 35
 LAKHI MANDIR PATH
 LUIT PATH BYLANE- 1 LALMATI GUWAHATI
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
 PIN- 781029
ASSAM

55: NIREN DEORI
 SON OF LT. LABHESWAR DEORI
 RESIDENT OF LESIAGAON KALIMONDIR PATH
 PATORKUCHI
 BASISTHA CHARIALI
 DISTRICT-KAMRUP(M)
 PIN-781029
ASSAM. GUWAHATI

56: BARUN KUMARSAHARIA
 SON OF LT. PITAMBAR SAHARIA
 57. RESIDENT OF WARD NO.8
 SANKAR NAGAR
 MANGALDAI
 DARRANG
 DISTRICT- DARRANG
 PIN- 784125
ASSAM

57: SUNAHAR ALI
 SON OF LT. SAFICUL HAQUE
 RESIDENT OF WARD NO.2
 HATMENT ROAD SARALKHA ROAD
 SETTLEMENT ROAD
 KARIMGANJ
 DISTRICT- KARIMGANJ
 PIN- 788712
ASSAM

58: RATI RAM BAGLARY
 SON OF LT. NAOUN CHANDRA BAGLARY
                                   Page No.# 12/16

RESIDENT OF KACHARIGAON
KATHIATOLI CHARIALI
KAMPUR
NAGAON
DISTRICT- NAGAON
PIN- 782427
ASSAM

59: DHANESHWAR DAS
 SON OF LT. MOHAN CHANDRA DAS
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO.2
TETELIA
 NEAR SOMNATH MANDIR
 GOTANAGAR
 GUWAHATI
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
 PIN- 781011
ASSAM

60: MATI RAM DEKA
 SON OF LT. NABIN CHANDRA DEKA
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 7
 NAMGARH PATH
 DARAKA NAGAR
 KHANAPARA
 61. 17 GUWAHATI
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
 PIN-781022
ASSAM

61: AKAN CHANDRA NATH
 SON OF LT. GHANA KANTA NATH
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO. 10/A
 FLAT NO. 301/B
 BASISTHA ENCLAVE
 BASISTHAPUR BYELANE NO.2
 BELTOLA
 GUWAHATI
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
 PIN-781028

62: BONTI KAKOTI
 DAUGHTER OF LT. ABANI HAZARIKA
WIFE OF MR. BIDYA KAKOTI
 RESIDENT OF HOUSE NO.9
 BYE LANE KRISHNACHURA LOKHRA
 PATH GUWAHATI
 BAMUNPARA
                                                    Page No.# 13/16

DISTRICT- KAMRUP(M)
PIN- 781040
ASSAM

63: BISWAJIT DAS
 SON OF LT. AUROBINDO KR. DAS
 RESIDENT OF NIGHTINGLE APARTMENT B 404
 NORTH HARBOURGAON
 P.O. KHUTIKATIA
 NAGAON
 DISTRICT- NAGAON
 PIN- 782002
ASSAM

64: ANANDA CHANDRA NATH
 SON OF LT. PADMA KANTA NATH
 RESIDENT OF BANK COLONY RAZAGAON
 RAHA
 NAGAON
 P.O..- RAHA
 DISTRICT- NAGAON
 PIN- 782103
ASSAM

65: CHAKRADHAR BARMAN
 SON OF LT MADHAB CHANDRA BARMAN
 RESIDENT OF ABHOYPUR
AMINGAON
 KAMRUP
 P.O..- AMINGAON
 DISTRICT- KAMRUP
 PIN- 781031
ASSA

VERSUS

THE UNION OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT AND 4
ORS.
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, SHRAM SHAKTI BHAWAN, RAFI MARG,
NEW DELHI-110001

2:THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT
THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION FUND
COMMISSIONER

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT GOVT. OF INDIA
BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN
14
                                                                     Page No.# 14/16

             BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE
             NEW DELHI- 110066

            3:THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
             MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
             GOVT. OF INDIA
             G.S. ROAD
             BHANGAGARH
             GUWAHATI - 780005

            4:INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED (REFINERIES DIVISION)
            EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
             (EXEMPTED BY THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
             NEW DELHI AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
             NEW DELHI) CORE-2
             SCOPE COMPLEX
             7
             INSTITUTIONAL AREA
             LODHI ROAD
             NEW DELHI- 110003

            5:INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED BONGAIGAON REFINERY
             DISTRICT- CHIRANG
             PIN- 783385
            ASSA

Advocate for the Petitioner   : MR A DASGUPTA, MS B DAS,MR S CHAKRABORTY

Advocate for the Respondent : DY.S.G.I.,




                               BEFORE
                HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SOUMITRA SAIKIA

                                           ORDER

27.10.2025

Heard Mr. A. Dasgupta, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. S. Chakraborty, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. S. Baruah, learned counsel for the respondent no.1.

Petitioners are aggrieved by the order dated 18.01.2025 issued by the Page No.# 15/16

EPF Organisation whereby the pension of the writ petitioners have been reduced by stopping payment of pension on the actual higher wages.

It is submitted by the learned Senior Counsel that this issue was heard before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court whereby judgment and order dated 02.09.2025 was passed by the Single Bench in the W.P. (MD) Nos. 29573 to 29578 of 2024 and WMP (MD) Nos. 24966, 24967, 24957, 24958, 24968, 24970, 24965, 24969, 24984, 24963 and 24964 of 2024 and 4067 of 2025 whereby the said circular dated 18.01.2025 was set aside.

It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners that in view of an order passed by the Madras High Court, several writ petitions have also been filed across various States and the present writ petition has also been premised on the orders passed by the Madras High Court and therefore, similar reliefs have been prayed for.

Ms. Baruah, the learned counsel for the respondent no.1 submits that the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent nos. 2 and 3 is available and service of copies may be effected on the counsel for the said respondents.

Counsel for the petitioners submits that they will take appropriate steps in the matter.

Accordingly let notice be issued, returnable on 14.11.2025.

Meanwhile, since respondent no.1 is represented, notices are waived, however extra copies be furnished within a period of 3 (three) working days.

Steps on the other respondents by service of copies on the Standing Counsel within 3 (three) working days failing which the respondent will ensure service of copies to be undertaken through the Registry of this Court by Speed Post.

Page No.# 16/16

Matter be listed on 14.11.2025.

Issue notice on the interim prayer.

JUDGE

Comparing Assistant