Kerala High Court

Thomas George V.M 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. 6779 OF 2023
PETITIONERS:

  1. THOMAS GEORGE V.M, AGED 68 YEARS, S/O. GEORGE JOSEPH, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081305, JYOTHIS, TC-30/1882 (1), PATTANI LANE, PETTAH P.O.,
     TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695024
  2. SIMON ZACHARIAH, AGED 68 YEARS S/O. V.G. ZACHARIAH, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081198, HOUSE NO 48, CHRIST NAGAR COLONY, KOWDIAR,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
  3. RAJAN T. JOSEPH AGED 71 YEARS S/O. C.T. JOSEPH, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081489, TC 31/2025, A-48A, ROSE DALE, SREERANGAM LANE,
     SASTHAMANGALAM, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695010
  4. VASUDEVAN O.M AGED 71 YEARS O.M.C.VASUDEVAN NAMBOOTHIRIPAD, P.P.O
     NO. KR/TVM/00081462,TC.11/394-3, NO. 47, CHRIST NAGAR, KOWDIAR P.O,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
  5. SANTHA A.V AGED 67 YEARS W/O. SIMON ZACHARIAH, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081487,HOUSE NO.48, CHRIST NAGAR COLONY, KOWDIAR,
     TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695003
  6. K. SURENDRAN AGED 70 YEARS /O. G.KRISHNA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00080927,MIDHILA, VGRA 19, VIJAYAGARDEN, THITTAMONGALAM,
     VATTIYOORKAV, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695013
  7. G. SURENDRAN PILLAI AGED 67 YEARS S/O. GOVINDA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081100,TC 3/315 (7), GURA-69, SANKARI ILLAM, MUTTAD P.O,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695025
  8. K.N. SOMARAJAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. K.K.NANOO, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081393,DEVIPRABHA, JOSEPH LANE , KACHANI, KARAKULAM P.O,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695564
  9. MOHANACHANDRAN .R. AGED 69 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVA PANICKER, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00080921, CHANDRAPADMAM (MRA B8), MARUTHANKUZHY, KANJIRAMPARA
     P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695030
 10. SANTHA .L AGED 66 YEARS W/O. JANARDHANAN NAIR .K., P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081165,THIRUVATHIRA, T.C, 7-213 (8), HARITAGIRI, HRA-37,
     KANJIRAMPARA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695030
 11. G. PURUSHOTHAMAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS C/O. G. SANTHAKUMARI AMMA, P.P.O
     NO. KR/TVM/00080933, SIMI HOUSE, CHEKKAKONAM, KARAKULAM P.O,
     TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695564
 12. FATHIMA K.A AGED 69 YEARS C/O. BASHEER AHAMED.M, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081282,HOUSE NO.41, KAIRALI NAGAR, KANJIRAMPARA,
     TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695030
 13. RAJESWARI P.C AGED 67 YEARS C/O. T.SIVAN CHETTIAR (LATE), P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081301,ASWATHY, TC 18/708-1, ARAMADA P.O, PUNNAKKAMUGAL,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695032
 14. K. SANTHA AGED 72 YEARS W/O. P.L.JAYACHANDRAN, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00081483,THIRUVATHIRA, MANNADY LANE, AMBALAMUKKU, PEROORKADA
     P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695005
 15. JYOTHEENDRANATHAN M.P AGED 76 YEARS S/O. DAMODHARA MENON, P.P.O NO.
     KR/TVM/00080756,B-13, JAWAHAR NAGAR, KOWDIAR P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
16. K.G. SULOCHANA AGED 70 YEARS W/O. MURALEEDHARAN.A, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081113,T.C 31/1935, DEVINAGAR 227, MANNAMOOLA, PERURKADA
    P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695005
17. V. SARALA DEVI AGED 71 YEARS C/O. V.VITTALA PAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00086878,ROHINI, TC 6/1776 (3), QUARRY ROAD, PTP NAGAR P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695038
18. KRISHNANANDAN .K AGED 67 YEARS S/O. GANGADHARA MENON, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080664,KRISHNANILAYAM, C.R.A-D.53.A, PARAYANKONAM LINE,
    CHERUVAKKAL SREEKARIAM P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695017
19. AMBIKA DEVI.A AGED 67 YEARS C/O. GOPINATHAN NAIR .G, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082039,TC 9/2682-3, SANKARASREE, JANVILLA NAGAR (J-72),
    SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
20. JAYASREE.R AGED 68 YEARS W/O. K. MURUKESAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082089,TC 49/893, ARA 37, KONCHIRAVILA, MANACAUD P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695009
21. SAGAR.S AGED 68 YEARS S/O. P.K. SANKARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080931,DARA 10, KEERTHANAM, DREAMLAND AVENUE, KUMARAPURAM,
    MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695011
22. SOBHANA VARMA M AGED 67 YEARS W/O. ANUJAN RAJA P.C, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080398,THIRUVONAM, T.C 9/1996/1, KOCHAR ROAD,
    SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
23. MARY M.J AGED 68 YEARS W/O. BHAKTHAVALSAN P, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080989,NEST, NEAR HOSDURG CO.OP BANK, PADANNAKKAD P.O,
    NILESHWAR, KASRGOD, PIN - 671314
24. R. JAYALAKSHMY AGED 74 YEARS D/O. V. RAMA IYER (LATE), P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082280,T.C. 55/2397, (OLD NO: T.C. 50/1000(1), ARUN NIVAS,
    TRWA-438, PANAMGATTUKADAVU LANE, THALIYAL, KARAMANA P.O, TRIVANDRUM,
    PIN - 695004
25. K. ASOK KUMAR, AGED 68 YEARS S/O. P. KRISHNAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080767,T.C. 21/558, GANGOTHRI, KARAMANA, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
    695002
26. SASIDHARAN K.G AGED 67 YEARS S/O. GANGADHARAN K.K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080527,SRA 123 A, "KRISHNA GANGA", F-LANE, ELIPPODE,
    VATTIYOORKAVU P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
27. M. SURENDRAN AGED 71 YEARS S/O. G. MADHAVAN PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081195,SURABHI, CRA-220, CHADIYARA, POOJAPURA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695012
28. SASIDHARAN T AGED 69 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAIR .K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081127,KRISHNANJALI, SRA 139B, TC 6/1949-4, ELIPPODU,
    VATTIYOORKAVU P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
29. BHANU .A AGED 71 YEARS W/O. ALIZHA, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081358, NISHA
    BHAVAN, THUMBODE, VALICODE, NEDUMANGAD, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695541
30. THANKAPPAN P.M AGED 71 YEARS S/O. T.K. KUNJUNJU, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081129, THANNIKATTU HOUSE, MADATHUMPADY, NEDUMKUNNAM P.O,
    KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686542
31. SATHEES KUMAR K.V AGED 70 YEARS S/O. KESAVAN NAIR .N, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080963, ARATHY, T.C. 9/1549(2), SMRA-64A, SASTHAMANGALAM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
 32. PREM KUMAR .R AGED 66 YEARS S/O. P.G. RAJAGOPALAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081093, KP 4/628, ARCHANA, SARA 68, SARVODAYAM ROAD,
    VELLAYANI, NEMOM P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695020
33. KRISHNAMMA P AGED 67 YEARS W/O. SIVANANDAN B, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081295, SREEDEVI MANDIRAM, CHENTHUPOOR, VENCODE P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695028
34. SAM K. THOMAS AGED 70 YEARS S/O. THOMAS KANTHAPPALLY, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080926, BETH EZRA, KUDAPPANAKUNNU P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
    695043
35. MANDIYAN K.R AGED 79 YEARS S/O. CHIRUKANDAN .K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080411, ASWATHY, T.C 22/1360, VIVEKANANTHAPURAM (VRA-106),
    PEROORKADA POST, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695005
36. SREEKANTAN NAIR R AGED 67 YEARS S/O. RAMAKRISHNA PILLA .K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080656, SREEGEETHAM, MANALLOR, NEYYATTINKARA P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695121
37. B. SUDHAKARAN AGED 68 YEARS S/O. BAHULEYAN K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081189, SKYLARK, RAKSHAPURI LANE, PAROTHIKONAM, PATTOM P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695004
38. GEORGE PEREIRA A AGED 73 YEARS S/O. ANTONY VARGHESE PEREIRA, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00081108, TC 4/761, "ANNDALE", BHRAMINS'S COLONY, KOWDIAR
    P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
39. ABDUL KARIM A AGED 73 YEARS S/O. P.M. ABDUL KADER, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081199, KP 7/365, SABITH MANZIL, NALUMUKKU, KUDAPPANAKUNNU
    P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695043
40. MAHESWARI AMMA L. AGED 67 YEARS W/O. R. CHANDRA SEKHARAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00080928, ROHINI, CNRA-40, CHITHIRA NAGAR,
    POOMALIYOORKONAM, PEROORKADA P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695005
41. RAVEENDRAN K AGED 69 YEARS S/O. KUNJAN PANICKER K, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081277, THIRUVATHIRA, KIZHANGUVILA VEEDU, KARUMKULAM,
    PUTHIYATHURA, NEYYATTINKARA, PIN - 695526
42. MARIYAMMA JOHN P.J AGED 74 YEARS W/O. M.T. THOMAS, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081999, SHARON VILLA, LNG-2, LEKSHMI NAGAR, PATTOM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
43. K. NARAYANAN NAIR AGED 68 YEARS S/O. KRISHNA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081097,JAYABHAVAN, VENKADAMPU P.O, KULATHOOR, OORAMVILA,
    NEYYATTINKARA, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695506
44. V. MURALIDHARAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081303,TC 16/1304(2), KMRA 204, VIVEKITHA, KANNETTUMUKKU,
    THYCAUD P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695014
45. K.L. THOMAS AGED 67 YEARS S/O. K.I LAZAR (LATE), P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080634,TC 10/2096-5, KPNRA-21, ARIKKONAM LANE, KANJIRAMPARA
    P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695030
46. RAMACHANDRAN POTTI .K AGED 67 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN POTTI R, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080660,CHANDRALAYAM, 9/56, KOOVALASSERY P.O, MARANALLOOR,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695512
47. SUBBALAKSHMI BALASUBRAMANIAN AGED 76 YEARS W/O. K. BALASUBRAMANIAN,
    P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00084823,VARA 576, TC 6/745, GOVARDHAN, ANANTHA
    NAGAR, ARAPPURA, VATTIYURKAVU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695013
48. BHASKARAN V.R AGED 68 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVAN V.A, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082043,SOORYASREE, GNP-5, TC 5/607-1, PEROORKADA,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695005
49. RAVEENDRAN NAIR R AGED 72 YEARS S/O. NARAYANA PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00083182, KALYANI, TC XX 207 (1), BSNRA-H-23, BHAGATHSING
    NAGAR, MALAMEL NADA, MUKKOLA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695043
50. SAKI KOSHY ABRAHAM AGED 68 YEARS S/O. K.I. ABRAHAM, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081302,SAKIM COTTAGE, T.C. 11/475, NANTHANCODE,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
51. SARAMMA CHACKO AGED 68 YEARS W/O. P.C. THOMAS, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082917,VARA-606, T.C. 6/800, PULLAVALLIL HOUSE, ARAPPURA,
    VATTIYOORKAVU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695013
52. RAJESWARI S AGED 70 YEARS W/O. R. BABU, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00080432,
    T.C. 27/1061, AMMAVEEDU, VANCHIYOOR, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695035
53. FRANCIS GOMAZ AGED 71 YEARS C/O. LEEN GOMAZ, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080925, LITTLE FLOWER HOUSE, PUTHUSSERY LANE, MUTTADA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695025
54. HARI KUMAR B AGED 66 YEARS S/O. BHASKARA PILLAI V, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081045, UTHRADAM, TC 33/1472, MRA 254, MANIKANTESWARAM P.O,
    VATTIYOORKAVU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
55. K.K. DEVARAJAN AGED 72 YEARS S/O. K.K. KRISHNAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081167, MELEVILABHAGAM, VENKALATHUKONAM, POWDIKONAM P.O,,
    PIN - 695588
56. PRASAD R AGED 67 YEARS S/O. RAJAPPAN AMBROSE, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081156, SANEE, PNRA- G9, NEAR D.M CONVENT, PONGUMOODU,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695011
57. DAVINSON .E AGED 70 YEARS S/O. ESRAIEL, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081196,
    LINCY DALE, RUSSELPURAM P.O, BALARAMAPURAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN
    - 695501
58. MOHANAN NAIR G AGED 71 YEARS S/O.P.GENGADHARAN NAIR, P.P.O.NO.
    KR/TVM/00081166, MOHAGEETH, THIRUMANGALAM, NEYYATTINKARA,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695121
59. SUDHAMONY S AGED 69 YEARS S/O. N. SASIKUMAR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081106, NARAYANEEYAM, T C 11/394 (50 CHRIST NAGAR), KOWDIAR
    P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
60. B.VIJAYAMOHAN AGED 70 YEARS S/O. K. BHASKARAN, P.P.O.NO.
    KR/TVM/00080480, DHANUS, VALLATHALA LANE, CHEMPAZHANTHY P.O.,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695587
61. USHA K.S AGED 70 YEARS W/O.RAJASEKHARAN NAIR M., P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00081708, KP.X/419, BNRA-24, NCC ROAD, PEROORKADA P.O.,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695005
62. UNNIKRISHNAN A.K AGED 67 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAMBIAR T.O., P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080607, KRISHNA, SRA 41, SASTHA NAGAR,
    TC-17/1163(3),THIRUMALA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695006
63. MOHANAKUMAR P AGED 67 YEARS S/O. PARAMESWARANPILLAI N., P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080961, REVATHY, GANDHIPURAM, SREEKARIYAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM,
    PIN - 695017
64. REGHUNATHAN NAIR G AGED 68 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAPILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081193, TC9/1309, SRISADANAM, UNNITHAN LANE,
    SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
65. GEORGE M.T AGED 66 YEARS S/O. THOMAS M.M., P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080722, T.C. 30/1194,KPNRA-17, AARIKONAM LANE, KANJIRAMPARA
     P.O., TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695030
66. NARAYANAN NAMPOOTHIRI N AGED 69 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN NAMPOOTHIRI G,
    P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081103, T.C. 15/503-1, ANRA MS20E, ALTHARA LANE,
    VELLAYAMBALAM, THRIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
67. SASIDHARAN.P AGED 73 YEARS S/O. M. PARAMESWARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00083183, SIVADEEPAM, PARAVOTTUKONAM, AMARAVIL P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695122
68. SASEENDRA BABU K AGED 70 YEARS S/O. KUNJUKRISHNANUNNITHAN.R, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00080672, VARA 297, THIRUVATHIRA, ARAPPURA GARDENS,
    VATTIYOORKAVU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013
69. SURENDRAN S AGED 70 YEARS S/O. SUKUMARAN, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081074,
    SURABHI, KODUNGANOOR P.O, VATTIYOORKAVU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695013
70. KESAVAN NAIR M AGED 72 YEARS S/O. MADHAVANPILLA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080923, GOWRIKEERTHANAM, KUNNUMPURAM, MUKKOLA, NETTAYAM
    P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695513
71. SADANANDAN R AGED 70 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVANNADAR T, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081114, ASWATHYBHAVAN, KOLIYOOR, T.C 58/2113, MUTTACAUD
    P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695523
72. R. RAJENDRAN AGED 69 YEARS S/O. P. RAGHAVAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081354, AER 166, TC8/905/1, ARAYALLOOR, ELLUVILA NAGAR,
    THIRMALA P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695006
73. THYAGARAJ D AGED 67 YEARS S/O. DEVASHAYAM E., P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080982, THEKKEKOLLOMVILAVEEDU (7-145), KULAPPURAM P.O.,
    KALIYIKKAVILA, KANYAKUMARI, TAMILNADU, PIN - 629153
74. G.L. SREEKANTH AGED 73 YEARS S/O. N. GOPALAN NAIR, P.P.O
    NO.KR/TVM/00081344, MANGALYA B-31, KOWDIAR GARDENS, GOLF LINKS,
    KOWDIAR, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695003
75. P.V. DAMODARANUNNI NAIR AGED 80 YEARS S/O. K. KUNCHUNNI NAIR, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00082990, SOPANAM, T.C 18/282(1), PUNNAKKAMUGAL, ARAMADA
    P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695032
76. LEELA M.J AGED 72 YEARS W/O. M.P. JOSEPH, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00080986,
    KP 11/488, THATTIL HOUSE, AMBALAMUKKU, PEROORKADA, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
    695005
77. M . JAYASREE AGED 70 YEARS W/O. P. SASI KUMAR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081895, SATHYANIKETHEN, B-9, PANICKERS LANE,
    SASTHAMANGALAM, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695010
78. H. FATHIMA BAI AGED 68 YEARS W/O. M.M BASHEER, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00075555, SREENAGAR-36, MANACAUD P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
    695009
79. SASIKUMAR NAIR P AGED 70 YEARS S/O. PARAMESWARANPILLAI P, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081357, KARTHIKA, AZHAKIKONAM, VATTAVILA P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695132
80. LATHA B. KAIMAL AGED 66 YEARS W/O. P. GOPAKUMARANUNNITHAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080757, "SIVA", TC NO. 9/1035-1, SASTHAMANGALAMP.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695010
81. T. VASANTHAKUMARI AGED 74 YEARS W/O. V. MUKUNDAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081745, KSHEMAVIHAR, PERUKAVU P.O, THRIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN
    - 695573
82. MOHANAN NAIR G AGED 69 YEARS S/O. GANGADHARANPILLA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081418, NIVEDAM, KATTAKKAL, KACHANI, KARAKULAM P.O,
     TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695564
83. CELIN PINTO BHASKARAN AGED 70 YEARS W/O. P. BHASKARAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081472, TC 4/1012 (1, PALLAYAM HOUSE, SREECHITHRA LANE (B),
    KOWDIAR, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695003
84. SIVARAMAN. K AGED 69 YEARS S/O. KOCHUKITTAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00103132, MANGALASSERILPADITTATHILL, CHERAVALLY, KAYAMKULAM,
    ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690502
85. BHAGAVALDAS.D AGED 69 YEARS S/O. K.DAMODARAN PILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080655, SRA-142, TC 6/1949-1, KRISHNARAM, ELIPOD,
    VATTIYOORKKAVU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695013
86. PURUSHOTHAMAN NAIR K.G AGED 70 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAIR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080663, KARTHIKA, NOCHIYOOR, CHENGAL P.O, NEYYATTINKARA,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695132
87. R.RAVINDRA KUMAR AGED 68 YEARS S/O. RAVIVARMANTHAMPI (LATE), P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00080951, EVRA # 406, RASHY, EASWARIVILASAM ROAD,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695014
88. MOHAMED KANNU.A AGED 72 YEARS S/O. N. ALIYAR KUNJU, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080935, MEHFIL, BNRA-183A, BHAGAVATHI NAGAR, KOWDIAR P.O,
    TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695003
89. CHELLAPPAN K.S AGED 68 YEARS S/O. RAJU V.S, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00081281, ROHINI, RNRA-28, RESHMI NAGAR, KALLARAMOOLA,
    MUTTADA P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695025
90. SELINA.H AGED 68 YEARS W/O. BABU RAJENDRA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080962, JPN-79, AMBADI, THYCAUD P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN -
    695014
91. KRISHNAN CHETTIAR.L AGED 71 YEARS C/O. LEKSHMANANCHETTIAR.L, P.P.O
    NO. KR/TVM/00081297, AJEESH VIHAR, ARUVIKARA P.O, KARAKULAM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695564
92. NANDAKUMAR .K AGED 73 YEARS S/O. C.R.KERALA VARMA, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00103277, PALACE NO.2, KRA 108 B, NEAR GOVT.PALACE HIGH
    SCHOOL, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682301
93. K.R.K. MENON AGED 70 YEARS S/O. LATE U.P.K. MENON, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KCH/00111089, VII/6B, SREELAKAM, TOWNSHIP ROAD, EDAYAPPURAM,
    ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683101
94. RAMESHAN C.T AGED 73 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN NAMBIAR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KNR/00060411, RESIDING AT KRISHNAKRIPA, VILAKKODE P.O, IRITTY,
    KANNUR-, PIN - 670703
95. RAJENDRAKUMAR M.K AGED 72 YEARS S/O. K.V. KUNHIKANNAN, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00082319, RESIDING AT MOOLAKKOVIL HOUSE, POST CHUNDA,
    CHERUPUZHA, KANNUR, PIN - 670511
96. CYRIL E.T AGED 71 YEARS C/O. E.B.THOMAS, P.P.O NO. KR/TVM/00081163,
    RESIDING AT ELENGIKKAL HOUSE, 10/160B, KARA P.O, EDAVILANGU,
    KODUNGALLORE, THRISSUR, PIN - 680671
97. HAREENDRAN K.K AGED 70 YEARS S/O. P.K. CHANDU NAMBIAR, P.P.O NO.
    KR/KNR/00060387, RESIDING AT VAISHNAVAM, THERURPALAYOD, EDAYANNUR
    P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670595
98. K.KRISHNA MOORTHY AGED 72 YEARS S/O. K. KESAVAPILLAI, P.P.O NO.
    KR/TVM/00080612, RESIDING AT SANTHI BHAVAN, PALUKAL P.O,
    KANYAKUMARI, TAMILNADU, PIN - 629170
99. ELIZABETH T.JOHN AGED 68 YEARS C/O. VINCENT THOMAS, P.P.O NO.
      KR/TVM/00081400, RESIDING AT 16-WEST CLIFF GARDENS, YMR JN, KOWDIAR
     P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695003
100. V.R. VIJAYAKUMAR AGED 71 YEARS S/O. RAMANPILLAI, P.P.O NO.
     KR/KCH/00103131, RESIDING AT KARTHIKA (VETTATHETHU) NEAR INDIAN
     BANK, CHERAVALLY, KAYAMKULAM, PIN - 690502

RESPONDENTS:

  1. UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND
     EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEWDELHI, PIN - 110001
  2. THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF
     PROVIDENT COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, 14,BHIKAJI CAMA
     PALACE, NEW DELHI , PIN - 110066
  3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN, P.B. NO. 1016, PATTOM,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM KERALA, PIN - 695004
  4. CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED COMPUTING (C-DAC) P.B.NO:6520,
     VELLAYAMBALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695033, KERALA (INDIA)
     REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICER , PIN - 695033

     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 C.S.SINDHU KRISHNAH &
R.SANJITH, Advocates for the petitioners, SHRI. NITA N.S, Advocate for
R3, 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.