Kerala High Court

E.V. Unnikrishnan vs Union Of India on 12 April, 2023

                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
                                  PRESENT
                THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A.
         Wednesday, the 12th day of April 2023 / 22nd Chaithra, 1945
                            WP(C) NO. 6725 OF 2023
PETITIONERS:

  1. E.V. UNNIKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O. PRABHAKARA WARRIER, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KKD/00062524, NANDANAM,14/87,KSHB COLONY,KALLEPPULLY, PALAKKAD,
     PIN - 678018
  2. K. RAMAKRISHNAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. K. THEYYAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KKD/00062426, LAKSHMI KRISHNA, THOTTAKKARA P.O, OTTAPPALAM, PIN -
     679101
  3. M.PAZHANAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. P. MUTHU,P.P.O NO. KR/KKD/00061876,
     THOTTAPPURA HOUSE, AKATHETHARAP.O., PALAKKAD, PIN - 678008
  4. L. KRISHNAN AGED 74 YEARS S/O. LINGAN R, P.P.O NO.KR/KKD/00062490,
     MANIANKAD HOUSE, PUTHUR, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678001
  5. T.U. CHANDRAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. K.UNTIA, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00097989
     THOTTIKUZHI HOUSE, METHALA P.O,KURUPPUMPADI (VIA), DIST ERNAKULAM-,
     PIN - 683545
  6. G.PURUSHOTHAMAN PILLAI AGED 68 YEARS S/O. BALANPILLAI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KLM/00106498, SIVAPRIYA, PALARA,MANAMPOOR P.O, KOLLAM, PIN -
     695611
  7. R.BHASKARAN AGED 73 YEARS S/O. RAMAN, P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/00106120,
     ROADVILA VEEDU, PARAMKOODU, UMMANOOR, CHEPPARA, PIN - 691520
  8. KOSHY C.K AGED 73 YEARS S/O.VARGHEESEKOSHY, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00104754, CHETTIYAERATHU PUTHENPURAYIL, KOZHUVALLUR P.O,
     CHENGANNUR, ALAPPUZHA, KERALA, PIN - 689521
  9. V. SOMARAJAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. S.VELAYUDHAN, P.P.O
     NO.KR/KLM/00106959 SOMAMANDHIRAM, PANDITHITTA, AMBALANIRAPPU P.O,
     THALAVUR,KOLLAM, PIN - 691508
 10. THANKAMANI S AGED 67 YEARS W/O.SAJEEVAN, P.P.O NO.KR/KCH/00099251,
     REVATHY, OLAKETTIYAMBALAM P.O, MAVELIKKARA, PIN - 690510
 11. K.A.THOMAS AGED 75 YEARS S/O. ANTONY K T, P.P.O NO.KR/KCH/00099793,
     KADAMATTUTHARA HOUSE, ENACHIRA P.O, VEROOR, CHANGANACHERRY,
     KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686104
 12. SKARIA O AGED 69 YEARS S/O. OONNONNI.G,P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/106442
     KOOTTARAZAKATHUVEEDU, MANNOOR P.O, CHANNAPPETTA, KOTTUKKAL, KOLLAM,
     PIN - 691311
 13. SAHADEVAN PILLAI S AGED 68 YEARS S/O. SUKUMARAN PILLAI,P.P.O NO.
     KR/KLM/00106441 SIVASAILAM, ELAMKULAM, KALLUVATHUKKAL, KOLLAM, PIN -
     691578
 14. C.RAVEENDRANATHAN PILLAI AGED 66 YEARS S/O. CHELLAPPAN PILLAI, P.P.O
     NO.KR/KLM/00106687, RESHMA BHAVAN, ARUNOOTTIMANGALAM, MANGALAM
     NAGAR, MANGADU P.O, KOLLAM, PIN - 691015
 15. V.JOHN VARGHEESE AGED 74 YEARS S/O.VARGHEESE, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KLM/00103904, VALLAYIL VEEDU, ALANCHERRY, EROOR P.O, KOLLAM, PIN
     - 691509
 16. MADAN PILLAI M AGED 71 YEARS S/O. MAHADEVAN, P.P.O. NO.
     KR/TVM/00081220, PRIYADARSHINI 35/274, PAPPAD, NETTAYAM P.O,
     VATTIYOORKAVU, THIRUVANATHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
17. RAJENDRAN UNNITHAN S.N AGED 69 YEARS S/O. SANKARA NARAYANAN
    UNNITHAN,P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/00104474, SREESHYLAM, MALACKAL P.O,
    MADAVOOR,PALLIKKAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695604
18. SATHYASHEELAN G AGED 66 YEARS S/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN, P.P.O
    NO.KR/KLM/00103754, SATHYA NILAYAM, KOTTUKAL P.O, ANCHAL, KOLLAM,
    PIN - 691306
19. RAMESAN C AGED 71 YEARS S/O. CHELLAPPAN, P.P.O NO. KL/KLM/00103776,
    PRABHAKARA VILASAM, POWDIKONAM, THIRUVANANTHARAM, PIN - 695588
20. E.JAMALLUDEEN KUNJU AGED 70 YEARS S/O.IBRAHIMKUTTY E, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KLM/00103775, ELINJICKAL THEKKATHIL, CHAVARA BRIDGE P.O, KOLLAM,
    PIN - 691583
21. C.K. JAMES AGED 67 YEARS C.K KOSHY, P.P.O NO.KR/KLM/00101339,
    PARAMKAMMOOTTIL, NEETHI NAGAR, PATTATHANAM P.O, KOLLAM, PIN - 691021
22. G. NANDAKUMAR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. G.GOPALAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00086242 , SREEPADMAM, KULATHARA, KARAMANA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695002
23. SUBASH CHANDRA BABU AGED 70 YEARS S/O. BHASKARAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00086245, CHANDRATHIL, VANDITHADAM, THIRUVALLAM P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695027
24. P.M. RAGHUNATHAN ACHARI AGED 72 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAV ASARI, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00078355, KURUVIKADA, TC 33/1491, VATTIYOORKAVU,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
25. SIVASANKARAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. VASUDEVANPILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00086549, THANAL, TC 4/1144, PNRA B-46. PANGAPPARA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695581
26. NEELAKANTA PILLAI C AGED 73 YEARS S/O. CHOKKALINGAM,P.P.O NO
    KR/TVM/00078390, TC 39/1753(3), GNRA-13, NEAR MANAKKAD TEL.
    EXCHANGE, MANAKKAD P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695009
27. S. SREEKANTAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O.R.SIVARAMAPILLA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078389, SREYAS, KPRA 131, TC 3/1357(4), MANKULAM LANE, TKD
    ROAD, PATTOM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
28. JYOTHI B.S AGED 66 YEARS S/O.K.K BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078391, KLRA 85 A, KRISHNAVILASOM ROAD, THYCAD P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695014
29. CHANDRASEKHARA PILLAI S AGED 68 YEARS S/O. SIVARAMAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00098789, PANDIVEETTIL, PANCHAJANYAM, KARIMULAKKAL, KOMALLOOR
    P.O, ALAPUZHA, PIN - 690505
30. BABY JOSEPH AGED 66 YEARS S/O.M.C JOSEPH, P.P.O NO KR/TVM/00078763,
    MURINGAYIL, POOVARANI, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686577
31. B. RADHAKRISHNAN NAIR AGED 72 YEARS S/O. KESAVA PILLAI, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00086545, TC 55/767, NO 20 RIVER GARDENS, NIRAMANKARA,
    KAIMANOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695040
32. C. SREEKUMAR AGED 67 YEARS S/O. CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078774, SEKT 55, CHANDRODAYAM, THAMARAKKULAM LANE,
    SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
33. P. NARAYANAN NAIR AGED 68 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHAN NAIR,P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078590, USHAS, PRA 40, NCC ROAD, POOMALLIYOOR KONAM,
    PEEROORKADA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695005
34. SATHEESAKUMARAN NAIR M AGED 70 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN NAIR .N,P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00078589,VISHNULEYAM, NANNATTUKAVE, POTHENCODE P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695584
35. G.VIJAYAKUMARAN NAIR AGED 66 YEARS S/O. M.GOVINDA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081049, EDAVILAKATHU VEEDU, CHERYAKONNI P.O, MYLAM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
36. XAVIOR PEREIRA AGED 69 YEARS S/O. LUKOSE, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078587,
    RAJAN VILAS, TC32/234(1), KOCHUVELI, TITANIYAM P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695021
37. A. RAJAN AGED 67 YEARS /O. ANDREWS, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078588
    TC14/1112, LENIN NAGER, PALAYAM, THYCAD P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN
    - 695014
38. B. VIJAYAKUMARI AGED 72 YEARS W/O. APPUKUTTAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078586, RODARIKATHU VEEDU, KARIKUZHI, PANAVOOR P.O,
    NEDUMANGADU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695541
39. A. GOPINATHAN NAIR AGED 68 YEARS S/O. APPUKUTTAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078618, AAYILLAM, VPS 69, TC 19/2306(2), VATTAVILA,
    THIRUMALA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695006
40. D. JAYACHANDRAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. V.M.DAMODARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078787, SOBHA, MRA/469, TC32/1907, MARUTHANKUZHI,
    KANJIRAMPARA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695030
41. I.G. VENUGOPAL AGED 68 YEARS S/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KLM/00101386,301 NEW VIVEK A SRINAGAR COLONY ROAD, VIDYA NIKETHAN
    MARG, GOREGAON WEST, MUMBAI, PIN - 400104
42. V. SUKUMARAN NAIR AGED 74 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN PILLA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078709,KARADIYODU MELE PUTHANVEEDU, SANTHIVILA, NEMOM,
    KALLIYOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695020
43. R. SUDHIR AGED 69 YEARS S/O. N. RAJAPPAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078767,SOONAM, KP XVI/ 1123, PUTHENTHOPE, ST XAVIERS
    COLLEGE P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695586
44. MARY PAMEELA GOMEZ AGED 72 YEARS S/O. GEORGE JOSEPH, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078710,KALIYIL VEEDU, ARACKAL, KARAKULAM PALAM JN,
    KARAKULAM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695564
45. RAJANI C AGED 69 YEARS W/O. R.SUJATHAN, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078572,
    TC 6/1273, SREEKRISHNA, CHERUVICKAL, SREEKARIYAM P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695017
46. S.P. HARIKUMARAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. K. SANKARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078761, SREEMURUKA, MARUKIL, KRISHNAPURAM, OORUTTAMBALAM
    P.O, MARANALLOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695507
47. B. VIMALADEVI AGED 73 YEARS W/O. K.KRISHNANKUTTY NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00086544, TC25/3345, SREELAKSHMI, VRA B4, VANCHIYOOR P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695035
48. MARY S AGED 68 YEARS W/O. D. DEVARAJ, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078558,AJAI
    BHAVAN, MACHICODE, CHENKAL PO, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
    PIN - 695132
49. J. LEELAMONI AGED 69 YEARS W/O. CHARLES, P.P.O NO.KR/TVM/00078766,TC
    8/1022(9), JYOTHI, JAMES COMPOUND, VALIYAVILA, THIRUMALA,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695006
50. V. VENUGOPLAN NAIR AGED 69 YEARS S/O. VASUDEVAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078529,SOUPARNIKA, HARITHA NAGAR, OOKKODU, NAMOM P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695020
 51. PONNAMMA B AGED 72 YEARS W/O. SASIDHARAN PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00086241, SABARI COTTAGE, PALAMUKKU, VAMANAPURAM, KALLARA,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695608
52. VASANTHAKUMARI M AGED 68 YEARS W/O. G VIJAYAKUMAR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078574, TC3/1231/2, SKANTHAPURI, LEKSHMI NAGAR, PATTOM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
53. B. SASIDHARAN NAIR AGED 69 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNA PILAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00079816, VRINDAVAN, 3/457, THAKARAPAMBU, PONGANADU P.O,
    KILIMANOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695601
54. R. SARASAMMA AGED 69 YEARS W/O. A. SAHADEVAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081043, TC 19/1007(1), SARAS, THAMALAM, MUDAVANMUGAL,
    POOJAPPURA. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695012
55. VIMALA B AGED 69 YEARS W/O. RAJAN,P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00080222, PLAVILA
    VEEDU, NELLIVILA P.O, VENNIYOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695523
56. RAJAGOPAL K.T AGED 71 YEARS S/O. KUMARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00079813, TC 3/1355/1, SOORAJ MANDIR, KPRA 175, PATTOM P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
57. SAMKUNJU D AGED 67 YEARS S/O. DENNISON, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081098,
    KADYARAPUTHEN VEEDU, ARUVIKUZHI, VEERANAKAVU P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695572
58. THAMPIRAJAN G AGED 72 YEARS S/O. GANGADHARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080768, PONNAMMOOLA VEEDU, VACHIYOOR P.O, ALAMCODE,
    ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695101
59. B. KRISHNANKUTTY NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00079818, PONNARAVILA VEEDU, ALAKUNNAM, PEYAD P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695573
60. A. DIVAKARAN NAIR AGED 74 YEARS S/O. APPUKUTTAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078564, DIVYA BHAVAN, KARIPOOR,P.O, NEDUMANGADU,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM , PIN - 695541
61. V.C.CHACKO AGED 70 YEARS C/O. ANNAMMA CHACKO, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078581, TC 14/1950(3), BAHULEYAM, KVRA 75, KAVUVILA LANE,
    KANNAMMOOLA, MEDICAL COLLAGE P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695011
62. S. SASIDHARAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. SIVASANKARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078583, GIRISH BHAVAN, KATTU VILAKOM, KATTAYIKONAM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695584
63. K.K. GOPINATHAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. KARUNAKARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078621, TC 6/2013, NETHAJI ROAD, VATTIYOORKAVU P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
64. GANAPATHI ACHARI S AGED 67 YEARS S/O. SADASIVAN ACHARY, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00096808, RESMI NIVAS, EAST OF KAPPIL JN, THATTAMPALLI P.O,
    ALAPUZHA, PIN - 688013
65. S.MADHUSOODANAN NAIR AGED 66 YEARS S/O. SREEDHARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081468, SIVASILAM, CRA 243, CHOOZHAMPALA, MUKKOLA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695043
66. D. VIJAYAKUMARAN AGED 67 YEARS S/O. DAMODHARA PANICKER, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080832, ARYA BHAVAN, CHEKKALAVILA, VALIYARATHARA,
    OOROOTTAMBALAM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695507
67. VIJAYAKUMAR G AGED 70 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAPILLA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078689, CHANDRAKANDAM, VENGANOOR P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
    PIN - 695523
 68. SURESH KUMAR M AGED 69 YEARS , S/O. MADHAVAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078573, TC 30/1280, SURABHI, PETTA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN
    - 695024
69. K. MARTHANDAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. KUTTALAM, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078616, TC 15/212, PRASANTHI, USRA 15, UDARASIROMANI ROAD,
    THIRUVANTHAPURAM, PIN - 69501
70. C. MOHANAN NAIR AGED 67 YEARS S/O. CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR,P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00080974, MARUTHARATHALAKKAL PUTHENVEEDU,
    OTTASEKARAMANGALAM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695125
71. C.R. FRANKLIN AGED 71 YEARS C/O. CECIL, P.P.O NO.KR/TVM/00086658,
    3/381,FAVANA, KS ROAD, KOVALAM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695527
72. SAVITHRI ANTHARJANAM S AGED 70 YEARS W/O. G. EASWARAN NAMBOOTHIRI,
    P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078556, CHANDRAMANA, VISHNU NAGAR, PAPPANAMCODE,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695018
73. RAJAN JOHN AGED 66 YEARS S/O. T.C.JOHN, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081222,
    PAZHAYIDATH,URA 60,NALANCHIRA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695015
74. N.RAVINDRAN NAIR AGED 71 YEARS S/O. NEELAKANTA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078568, REMYA, TC 24/989, KALLUVILAKAM, THYCAUD,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695014
75. K.VISWANATHAN AGED 71 YEARS S/O. KESAVAN, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00078570,
    HOUSE.NO.289, AKKARAVILA VEEDU, CHELLAMANGALAM, POWDIKONAM P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695587
76. MOLLY MATHEWS AGED 67 YEARS W/O K.THOMAS ABRAHAM, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078554, AMBALATHARA HOUSE, TC8/171(7), T HIRUMALA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695006
77. SANTHAKUMARI AMMA S AGED 70 YEARS W/O.N.SASIDHARAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00078550, AVITTAM,TC17/973(8), VIDHYADHIRAJA NAGAR,
    POOJAPPURA P.O,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695012
78. RADHAMANI PILLAI AGED 70 YEARS D/O. P.DAMODARAN PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078565, SREE BHAVAN, KULANGARA BHAGAM, CHAVARA P.O,KOLLAM,
    PIN - 691583
79. GEORGE JOSEPH AGED 69 YEARS S/O. O.L. JOSEPH , P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00078379, TC.5/21112, ROSANNALAYAM, AMBALAMUKKU, KOWDIAR P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
80. P.I.PANKAJAKSHAN AGED 67 YEARS S/O. P.P.ITTAMAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00097285, PONNAMBARA HOUSE, P.O PUZHAKKAL, THRISSUR, PIN -
    680553
81. K.P.RAJAN AGED 67 YEARS S/O. K.PADMAKARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/000107171, JYOTHIS, PAZHAVEEDU, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688009
82. K.G. MADHAVANKUTTY AGED 71 YEARS S/O. K.N.GANGADHARAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO. KR/KCH/00099789, RAGAMALIKA, CHELAKKAPPILLIL, PAZHAVEEDU P.O,
    ALLEPPEY, PIN - 688009
83. K. SATHYADAS AGED 66 YEARS S/O. KUNJUSANKARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/000105506, ASWINI BHAVAN, PATTANAKKADU P.O,
    CHERTHALA,ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688531
84. R.RAMACHANDRAN AGED 66 YEARS S/O. RAMASUBRAMANIAN.H, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00098023, VAISHNAVAM, SANATHANAM WARD, ALAPPUZHA, PIN -
    688001
85. M.G. RAJKUMAR AGED 67 YEARS S/O. GOPINADHAN NAIR , P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/000107162, MURALI SADANAM, PUNNAPRA P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN -
      688004
 86. PUSHPANANDAN V AGED 72 YEARS S/O. K.VELAYUDHAN , P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/000101870, KARICHAPARAMBU HOUSE, MANNANCHERRY P.O, ALAPPUZHA,
     PIN - 688535
 87. T.K.VASAVAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. KANDA, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/000102338,
     GOKULAM, CMC-20, CHERTHALA P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688524
 88. BASHEER B.M AGED 66 YEARS S/O. N.V. KOCHU MUHAMMED, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/000113898, VELLAZHATHU PARAMBIL, POOCHAKKAL P.O, CHERTHALA,
     ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688526
 89. RAJENDRA LAL AGED 69 YEARS S/O. P.V.SADANANDAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/000110179, PANACKAL HOUSE, POOMTHOPPU WARD, AVALUKKUNNU P.O,
     ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688006
 90. RAJAPPAN M AGED 70 YEARS S/O. MATHU, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/000115541,
     THEKKUVELIYIL, MANNANCHERRY P.O, KALAVOOR, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688538
 91. SANKARAN AGED 71 YEARS S/O. NANU, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/000110299,
     SANKARAMANGALATH, PATTANAKKAD P.O, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA-, PIN -
     688531
 92. E.N.PURUSHAN AGED 68 YEARS , S/O. NANAPPAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/000114264, AYYATHUKATTIL VADAKKETHIL, THAMALLACKAL P.O,
     KUMARAPURAM, HARIPPADU, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690548
 93. G. MUKUNDAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAN, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/000114670,
     ELLATHU PARAMBU, KAKKAZHAM, AMBALAPUZHA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688005
 94. V. RAMACHANDRAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/110272, MANGATTU HOUSE, CHERUTHANA P.O, KARUVATTA, ALAPPUZHA,
     PIN - 690511
 95. RAVI B AGED 70 YEARS S/O. K.BHASKARAN , P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/110304,
     THELASSERIL HOUSE, MUTTOM P.O, HARIPPADU, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690511
 96. A.HAMSA AGED 69 YEARS /O. ABDULLA KUNJU, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/114609,
     AFZAL MANZIL, MANNACHERRY P.O, WARD 22, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688538
 97. R. KARUNAKARAN PILLAI AGED 71 YEARS S/O. A.G.KRISHNAKURUP, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/115565, MADHAVA NIVAS, KARUPPANKULANGARA P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN
     - 688551
 98. K.V.GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN NAIR, P.P.O
     NO. KR/KCH/110754, KIZHAKOLIL, PATTANAKKAD P.O, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA
     , PIN - 688531
 99. PONNAPPAN M.V AGED 73 YEARS S/O. SHANKUBAVA, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/113984, KALATHIL HOUSE, PARAYAKADU P.O, THURAVOOR, ALAPPUZHA,
     PIN - 688540
100. RADHAMONY AMMA K.J AGED 67 YEARS W/O. SIVARAMA PANICKER, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/114339, BABU NIVAS, THURAVOOR SOUTH, PADINJATTINKARA,
     ERNAKULAM, PIN - 688532
101. V.C. ANTONY AGED 70 YEARS S/O. CHACKO, P.P.O NO.KR/KCH/114411,
     THAKIDI VELI, THYCATTUSSERY P.O, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688528
102. AMBIKAKUMARI K AGED 71 YEARS W/O. P.R.KRISHNAN KUTTY NAIR, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/110301, THUSHARAM, PATTANAKKAD P.O, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN
     - 688531
103. SAIFUDHEEN K AGED 67 YEARS S/O. KAREEM, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/113628,
     SHIBASMANZIL, CIVIL STATION WARD, ALAPPUZHA , PIN - 688012
104. BALACHANDRAN T.S AGED 67 YEARS S/O. SUBRAMANIA IYER, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/84363, C2, 503, AKSHAYA REPUBLIC APTS, KUNDRATHUR MAIN ROAD,
      KOVUR, KANCHEEPURAM, TAMIL NADU, PIN - 600128
105. T.S.JOSEPHKUTTY AGED 73 YEARS S/O. AVIRA SOURIAR, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KTM/39633, PURAVADY THUNDIYIL, CHETHIPUZHA, VEROOR P.O,
     CHANGANACHERRY, PIN - 686104
106. MOHANDAS M.S AGED 67 YEARS S/O. N.E.SREEDHARAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00107489, LEELA SADANAM, POLLATHAI P.O, ALAPPUZHA-, PIN -
     688522
107. PRATHAPACHANDRAN T.S AGED 67 YEARS S/O. SREEDHARA PANICKER, P.P.O
     NO. KR/KCH/00107700, KOLLAMPARAMBIL, PAZHAVEEDU P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN
     - 688009
108. NAZIMUDDIN P.M AGED 71 YEARS S/O. A. MUHAMMED KUNJU, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00112263, CRESENT VILLA, PALLIVELI, PUNNAPARA P.O, ALAPPUZHA,
     PIN - 688004
109. MOHANAKUMARAN UNNITHAN G AGED 69 YEARS S/O. GOPALA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00112407, MOHANA SADANAM, VATHIKULAM, THEKKEKARA P.O,
     MAVELIKARA, ALAPPUZHA , PIN - 690107
110. JOSE P.R AGED 71 YEARS S/O. RIMONDH, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00112268,
     PANACHIKKAL HOUSE, PUNNAPARA, ALAPPPUZHA, PIN - 688004
111. NATARAJAN V AGED 72 YEARS /O. VASU, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00112841,
     KOTTANGANATTUVELI, C M C 22, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688524
112. T.A.NASSAR AGED 66 YEARS S/O. ABDULLA, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00098798,
     ATTIYIL, VATTAYAL WARD, THIRUVAMBADY P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688002
113. C.N. MOHANDAS AGED 71 YEARS S/O. T.K.KUMARAKARTHA, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00112384, SAMASYA VELLAYIL, UZHUVA, PATTANAKAD P.O,
     CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688531
114. K.C. JOSE AGED 71 YEARS S/O. K.K. CHACKO, P.P.O NO. KR/KTM/00043388,
     KUNNAKKALAYIL HOUSE, POOVATHUMMOODU, THIRUVANCHOOR, KOTTAYAM, PIN -
     686019
115. SAMUEL K. MATHEW AGED 76 YEARS S/O. P.E. MATHEW, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00097996, 5/557A, KADACKAL HOUSE, UNICHIRA, THRIKKAKARA,
     ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682021
116. V.R.SREENIVASAN AGED 73 YEARS S/O. RAMAN, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00097101,
     MANATHUPADAM HOUSE, CHANGAPUZHA NAGAR P.O, ERNAKULAM , PIN - 682033
117. M.K. ABDUL MAJEED AGED 69 YEARS S/O. M.O. KHADER, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00096820, NORTH MALIYAM VEEDU, OPPOSITE JAMATH AUDITORIUM,
     EDAPPALLY, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682024
118. K.P. SUDHARMONY AGED 70 YEARS /O. A. RAJAGOPALAN , P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00096312, HOUSE NO. 50/174-B, AIMS, PONEKARA P.O, PONEVAZHY
     ROAD, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682041
119. C.N.RAVEENDRAN NAIR AGED 72 YEARS S/O. C.S. NARAYANAN NAIR, P.P.O
     NO. KR/KCH/00110513, KRISHNA NIVAS, VALAMPOOR, KADAYIRIPPU P.O,
     ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682311
120. N.P. JACOB AGED 72 YEARS S/O. N.M. PETER, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00098878,
     NEDUMPRAMBIL HOUSE, KUNDANOOR THEERADESA ROAD, MARADU P.O, , PIN -
     682304
121. K.O. GEORGE AGED 68 YEARS S/O. PAILY OUSEPH, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00096689, KOTTALIL HOUSE, KOTTAPPADY P.O, KOTHAMANGALAM,
     ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686695
122. E.V HARIDAS AGED 69 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00097099, KOTTADAPARAMPU HOUSE, NETTUR, MARADU, ERNAKULAM,
      PIN - 682040
123. M.K. ASOKAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN, P.P.O NO. KR/KCH/00117321,
     VELUTHEDATH PARAMPU, PALLICHAMBEL ROAD, PALARIVATTOM ERNAKULAM, PIN
     - 682025
124. KUNJU MOHAMMED T.A AGED 67 YEARS S/O. K.A SAIDALI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00117638, REMUNA COTTAGE, CC NO. 33/2231, RAILWAY STATION
     ROAD, EDAPPALLY, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682024
125. GOPI P.P AGED 67 YEARS C/O. PAPPU KUTTY, P.P.O NO.KR/KCH/00110188,
     PANDARI HOUSE, KAVITHA ROAD, KUTTANALLUR, THRISSUR, PIN - 68001
126. SASI K AGED 67 YEARS C/O.KUNJUKUTTYAM NENMANY, P.P.O
     NO.KR/KCH/00109968, VENMANI HOUSE, RAMAVARMAPURAM, THRISSUR, PIN -
     680631
127. K.K.JANARDHANAN AGED 66 YEARS S/O. KRISHNANKUTTY NAIR, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00110157, KOOTHADATH KIZHAKKETHIL HOUSE, S.N PURAM, NEAR
     MANAKKAL KADAVU, THRISSUR, PIN - 680312

RESPONDENT:

  1. UNION OF INDIA UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY,
     MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW
     DELHI, PIN - 110001
  2. THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF
     PROVIDENT COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHYANIDHIBHAVAN, 14,BHIKAJICAMA PALACE,
     NEW DELHI, PIN - 110066
  3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION, KALOOR,ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017
  4. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, GROUND FLOOR BHAVISHYANIDHIBHAVAN,
     POTTAKUZHY RD, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, PIN - 695004
  5. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION, FORT RD, NEAR EPF OFFICE, THAVAKKARA, KANNUR, KERALA ,
     PIN - 670001
  6. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION,POST OFFICE RD, THIRUNAKARA, KOTTAYAM, KERALA, PIN -
     686001
  7. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION,POILAKADA RD, TALUKKACHERY, KOLLAM, KERALA, PIN -
     691001
  8. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION, NADAKKAVU - MINI BYPASS RD, NEAR PASSPORT OFFICE,
     ERANHIPPALAM, KOZHIKODE, KERALA, PIN - 673006
  9. KERALA CO-OPERATIVE MILK MARKETING FEDERATION REPRESENTED BY ITS
     MANAGING DIRECTOR MILMABHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
     695004
 10. MALABAR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD (MRCMPU)
     REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR HEAD OFFICE PERINGOLAM,
     KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE, KERALA, PIN - 673571
 11. ERNAKULAM REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD(ERCMPU)
     REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR HEAD OFFICE, EDAPPALLY,
     KOONAMTHAI, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682024
  12. THIRUVANATHAPURAM REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD
     (TRCMPU) REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR KSHEERABHAVAN, PATTAM
     P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004

     Writ petition (civil) praying inter alia that in the circumstances
stated in the affidavit filed along with the WP(C) the High Court be
pleased to stay the operation of exhibits p7 and p8 and restore/ continue
the monthly pension paid to the petitioners under their respective pension
payment orders, pending disposal of the above writ petition.
     This petition again coming on for orders upon perusing the petition
and the affidavit filed in support of WP(C) and this court's order dated
22.03.2023 and upon hearing the arguments of M/S. R.SANJITH & C.S.SINDHU
KRISHNAH, Advocates for the petitioners, M/S. S.GOPAKUMARAN NAIR (SR.) &
S.PRASANTH, Advocate for R3, SHRI. NITA N.S, Advocate for R4,R5,R7 & R8,
the court passed the following:
                  ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A., J.
            ----------------------------
 W.P.(C) Nos.8979/2023, 16018/2020, 11737/2021,
    4958/2023, 5300/2023, 5442/2023, 5460/2023,
    5473/2023, 5503/2023, 5510/2023, 5513/2023,
    5790/2023, 5876/2023, 5987/2023, 6178/2023,
   6206/2023, 6260/2023, 6284/2023, 6292/2023,
    6499/2023, 6502/2023, 6681/2023, 6703/2023,
    6710/2023, 6723/2023, 6725/2023, 6731/2023,
    6740/2023, 6779/2023, 6811/2023, 6905/2023,
     6941/2023, 6990/2023, 7015/2023,7043/2023,
    7073/2023, 7105/2023, 7141/2023, 7261/2023,
    7547/2023, 7578/2023, 7614/2023, 7838/2023,
    7990/2023, 8412/2023, 8727/2023, 8777/2023,
    8990/2023, 9061/2023, 9177/2023, 9241/2023,
    9351/2023, 9358/2023, 9494/2023, 9614/2023,
  9659/2023, 9979/2023, 10175/2023, 10186/2023,
10219/2023, 10535/2023, 10650/2023, 10711/2023,
              11442/2023 & 11554/2023.
              ------------------------
       Dated this the 12th day of April, 2023


                           O R D E R

In all these cases, the issue involved is

pertaining to the legal entitlement of the

petitioners for higher pension, as per the

provisions of the Employees Provident Funds and

Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. These writ

petitions are already admitted.

2. As per the decision rendered by the

Honourable Supreme Court in EPF Organisation v.

Sunil Kumar [2022(7) KHC 12 (SC)], certain

directions were issued in this regard with respect

to the options to be submitted by the employees

concerned, to be eligible for the benefits of

higher pension under the Employees Pension Scheme,

1995. In para 44 (iv) of the said decision, the

following observations were issued by the

Honourable Supreme Court.

" 44 (iv) The members of the scheme, who did not exercise option, as contemplated in the proviso to paragraph 11(3) of the pension scheme (as it was before the 2014 Amendment) would be entitled to exercise option under paragraph 11(4) of the post amendment scheme. Their right to exercise option before 1st September 2014 stands crystallized in the judgment of this Court in the case of R.C. Gupta (supra). The scheme as it stood before 1st September 2014 did not provide for any cut-off date and thus those members shall be entitled to exercise option in terms of paragraph 11(4) of the scheme, as it stands at present. Their exercise of option shall be in the nature of joint options covering pre-amended paragraph 11(3) as also the amended paragraph 11(4) of the pension scheme."

3. The Honorable Supreme Court permitted the

employees who could not submit the options in the

light of para 11(3) of the pre-amendment scheme,

to submit fresh options within a period of four

months. Though the said period expired on

3.03.2023, the same was further extended for two

months i.e. up to 3.05.2023. The petitioners in

these cases are employees intending to submit

their options in the light of directions of the

Honourable Supreme Court.

4. The EPF organization made available to the

employees the facility to submit the options

through online mode by providing necessary links

for the same on their website. Ext P9 in

WP(C)8979/2023 is the option form the employee has

to fill up while submitting the option.

      5.    The          grievance              highlighted             by        the

petitioners           is    that         one        of    the   details      to   be

furnished in the said option form is the copy of

the permission under para 26(6) of the Employees

Provident Fund Scheme, 1952. According to the

petitioners, even though they were permitted to

pay the contribution based on the salary,

exceeding the ceiling limit prescribed (Rs 5,000/-

and Rs 6,500/-), as contemplated under para 26(6)

of the Scheme 1952, no formal option has been

submitted. According to them, submission of such

an option was never necessitated or insisted upon,

and instead, higher contributions were being

accepted all along by the EPFO. Therefore, they

are unable to fill up the said column in the

online option form, and the said form is

formulated in such a fashion that, unless the

details of the option under para 26 (6) of the

Scheme, 1952 are incorporated, they cannot

successfully submit the online options. If they

are not submitting their options on or before the

cut-off date, i.e. 3.05.2023, they will be

deprived of the benefits of the Scheme to which

they are legally entitled. In such circumstances,

the petitioners seek an interim order permitting

them to submit options without insisting on the

details/copies of the options submitted by them

under para 26(6) of the Scheme 1952.

6. The prayer for interim relief is stoutly

opposed by the respective Standing Counsels for

the EPFO. According to them, the option under para

26(6) is one of the crucial requirements for

availing the benefits, and therefore, it is

absolutely necessary for processing the options

submitted by the employees.

7. The learned counsels for the petitioners

would point out that higher contributions were

being accepted by the EPFO all along, even without

formal options from the employees and without any

insistence for submission of options as referred

to above. The petitioners relied on various

circulars issued by the EPFO to substantiate the

said contentions.

8. In circular bearing No:

Pension/Misc.2005/65836 dated 22.011.2006, it was

mentioned in para 4 (4) that, if the option was

not exercised at the time of salary crossing the

statutory limit or on 16.3.1996 as the case may be

and the contributions were deposited on salary

exceeding the limit after receiving instructions

from the Office before the date of issue of

circular dated 22.06.2004, the department has the

vicarious liability(restricted to specific cases

only)of honouring such a commitment and hence the

pensionable salary shall be on the actual salary,

i.e. on the salary (exceeding the statutory limit)

on which contribution paid. However, it is true

that, in para 4 (5) of the said Circular, it was

clarified that, in cases where no options were

given, or no commitment was made by the concerned

office, but the contribution on higher pay was

deposited by the establishment/employee on their

own, excess contributions will be considered as

erroneous contributions, and the pensionary salary

will be restricted to statutory ceiling existing

from time to time. But the fact remains that the

said Circular clearly indicates that certain

offices of the EPFO used to give instructions for

accepting the higher contributions, even without

options being actually submitted, and permitting

payment of higher contribution.

9. Besides the same, in Circular No Pen-

1/12/33/96/Amendment/Vol.IV/16762 dated 22.01.2019

(Ext P3 in WP(C) 8979/2023), it is mentioned as

follows: "However, if an employer and employee have contributed under the EPF Scheme, 1952 on wages higher than the statutory wage

limit, without joint option of employee & employer, and the EPF

Account of the concerned employee has been updated by the EPFO on

the basis of such contribution received, then by action of

employee, employer and EPFO, it can be inferred that joint option

of the employee and employee has been exercised and accepted by

EPFO........."

10. Of course, the said Circular has been

withdrawn as per Circular dated 7.02.2019, in the

light of the observations made by a Division Bench

judgment of this Court in WP(C)13120 of 2015.

However, the said Circular dated 22.01.2019

clearly conveys the manner in which the EPFO

treated the issue as regards the necessity of

submitting options under para 26(6) of the Scheme

1952, and it indicates that the submission of

options was never made mandatory.

11. In addition to the above, the petitioners

have also raised a contention that, in the

judgment passed by the Division Bench of this

Court, in Sasikumar P. and others v. Union of

India and others [ILR 2019 (1) Kerala 614], it was

clarified that, the employees shall be entitled to

exercise the option stipulated by paragraph 26 of

the EPF Scheme without being restricted in doing

so by the insistence on a date. Therefore, even if

the submission of an option is mandatory, it is

still open for the employees to submit the same

without any cut-off date. It was further contended

that, even though the said judgment was set aside

by the Honourable Supreme Court in Sunil Kumar's

case (supra), it would not affect the direction of

the Division Bench judgment of this court in

Sasikumar's case (supra), as there is no contrary

finding in the decision of the Honourable Supreme

Court, with regard to the option under para 26(6)

of the Scheme 1952. In my view, this is also a

matter to be considered at the time of the final

hearing.

12. Thus, when all the above aspects are

considered, it can be seen that, right from the

inception, higher contributions were being

accepted by the EPFO, even without submitting

options under para 26(6) of the Scheme 1952. It is

also evident that in some cases, instructions were

issued from some of the offices of EPFO to accept

the same, and in some cases, accounts of

respective employees were also updated in tune

with such higher contributions.

13. Further, the petitioners also have a

contention that, going by the language used in

para 26(6) of the Scheme, 1952, it could be

interpreted as an enabling provision, which

provides the power to the EPFO to accept higher

contributions in certain circumstances and the

same cannot be treated as a provision which makes

the submission of option mandatory. The exercise

of such options and their acceptance by the EPFO

can be inferred from the conduct of the employees,

employers and the EPFO, as mentioned in Circular

dated 22.01.2019. After considering the provisions

in this regard, I am of the view that this is also

a relevant aspect to be considered in detail.

14. Thus, when considering all the above

aspects, the only view that can possibly be taken

is that the petitioners have succeeded in

establishing a prima facie case, warranting an

interim order in the matter. It is to be noted

that the balance of convenience also favours the

petitioners. Evidently, the Honourable Supreme

Court fixed the cut-off date as 3.05.2023 for

submitting the options. Now on account of the

insistence from the EPFO to furnish the details of

the option under para 26(6)of the Scheme, 1952,

and also in view of the peculiar nature of the

online facility provided for such submissions,

they are now prevented from submitting the said

options. There cannot be any dispute that if they

were not permitted to submit their options before

the cut-off date, they would be deprived of their

opportunity to claim the benefits of the judgment

of the Honourable Supreme Court forever.

 WP(C) No. 8979/2023 & Con.cases         12

Therefore,          the      petitioners       deserve      an   interim

order       for       that        reason,i.e.       the     balance    of

convenience, as well.

15. The learned Standing Counsel for the EPFO

also raised a contention that some of the writ

petitions are submitted by the employees of the

exempted establishments, and they cannot be

granted the benefits. However, in para 38 of the

judgment in Sunil Kumar's case (supra), this

aspect was considered, and it was found that

employees of the exempted establishments should

not be deprived of the benefit of remaining in the

pension scheme while drawing salary beyond the

ceiling limit. Therefore the said contention of

the EPFO is also not prima facie sustainable.