Kerala High Court
Muraleedharan V.N vs Union Of India on 15 January, 2025
Author: Murali Purushothaman
Bench: Murali Purushothaman
WP(C) No.1335/2025 1/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
Wednesday, the 15th day of January 2025 / 25th pousha, 1946
WP(C) NO. 1335 OF 2025
PETITIONER:
1. MURALEEDHARAN V.N., AGED 66 YEARS, VELAMBATH HOUSE, CHENTRAPPINNI
P.O. THRISSUR PPO. NO.KR/KCH/6679, PIN-680687
2. MATHEW K.M, AGED 66 YEARS, KOKKARAKKUZHIVIL HOUSE, THIRUMARADY P.O.,
PPO. NO.KR/KCH/7379, PIN - 686662
3. GOVINDAN KUTTY P,. AGED 66 YEARS, HOUSE NO.A-19 NEW CIVIL NAGAR,
PALAKKAD PPO. NO. KR/KTM/45445, PIN-678001
4. RAVEENDRANATHAN P.K., AGED 68 YEARS, AMRITHAKRIPA, PANGICHAN HOUSE,
KADUKKAMKUNNU P.O.,PALAKKAD PPO. NO. KRKKD71428, PIN-678651
5. UNNIKRISHNAN P., AGED 68 YEARS, LALITHA NIVAS, POOZHIKOL P.O.,
KOTTAYAM PPO. NO.KR/KTM/45346, PIN-686604
6. MOHAMMED ARAKKEL AGED 66 YEARS, RESEENA MANZIL, PARAMBAYI, MAMBARAM
P.O PPO. NO.KR/KNR/66442., PIN-670741
7. DAMODARAN UNNI C.K., AGED 66 YEARS, DHANNYA NIVAS, MEVELLOOR P.O.,
PPO NO.KR/KTM/44455, PIN - 686609
8. JACOB V.D. AGED 68 YEARS, VITHAYATHIL HOUSE, PUTHIYAKAVU, ERNAKULAM
PPO. NO.KR/KTM/45140, PIN-682301
9. TOMSON JOSE, AGED 64 YEARS, PURAPPANTAANAM HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O.
PPO. NO. KR/KTM/45049, PIN - 686609
10. HARI K.K, AGED 67 YEARS, KATTIL HOUSE, AVITTATHUR P.O., PPO.NO.
KR/KCH/17245, PIN-680683
11. RAJAGOPAL.B, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O BASKARAN NAIR G SREENILAYAM,
KANJIRAMATTOM BYPASS ROAD, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI, KERALA PPO NO:
KR/KTM/45050, PIN - 685584
12. MOHANAN K.G, AGED 68 YEARS "AMBADI" 29/955B, L. M. PAILEE ROAD,
VYTTILA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA PPO. NO: KR/KCH/16703, PIN - 682019
13. JOHN MATHEW. M, AGED 67 YEARS, ALAPAT, MARKET ROAD, THIRUVALLA,
PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA, PPO: NO: KR/KTM/45142, PIN - 689101
14. MATHEW. A.M., AGED 67 YEARS, ALILAKUZHIYIL HOUSE. PULIKURUMBA.P.O
NADUVIL (VIA) KANNUR. DISTRICT, PPO. NO: KR/KNR/66260, PIN-670582
15. JOHN SEBASTIAN, AGED 63 YEARS, VADAKKECHIRAYATH HOUSE PAYAPPAR-
KAROOR ROAD, MUNDANKAL P.O. PALA, KOTTAYAM (DIST.) PPO NO :
KR/KTM/45044, PIN-686574
16. AMMINI. M.U, AGED 64 YEARS, PANDIKUDY HOUSE PERUVA P.O. KOTTAYAM PPO
NO: KR/KTM/44990, PIN - 686610
17. GOPALAN NAIR. N.A, AGED 67 YEARS, NEDIYATHAPPILLIL HOUSE MULAKULAM
(SOUTH) PO, KOTTAYAM DIST. PPO NO: KR/KTM/45143, PIN - 686610
18. SUMON .M. V, AGED 65 YEARS, MUTTAPPILLIL PERUVA P O KOTTAYAM
P.P.O.NO : KR /KTM/44457, PIN - 686610
19. THAMBACHAN. Y. M., MATHEWS, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O YM MATHEWS MOLIL
HOUSE, HOUSE NO:698, WARD NO:5, MULAKULAM VILLAGE, PERUVA (PO),
VAIKOM (TALUK) KOTTAYAM (DIST) P.P.O NO:KR/KTM\44464, PIN - 686610
WP(C) No.1335/2025 2/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
20. SWAPAN MEITHY, AGED 67 YEARS, GOPALPUR VILLAGE (POST), HOOGHLY
DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL. PPO NO: WBHLO /02608 /DBO, PIN-712513
21. SUDARSANAKUMAR. V. P, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O PONNAPPAN PILLAI C K,
VALIYAVEEDU PERUNNAI (WEST) PO, CHANGANACHERRY, KOTTAYAM-DIST PPO
NO: KR/KTM/45203, PIN-686102
22. AJAYAN .K C, AGED 68 YEARS, S/O KUTTAPPU, SURABHI PARAPPURATHU-
HOUSE, PANTHEERANKAVU-(PO), KOZHIKODE, PPO NO: KR/KKD/70476, PIN -
673019
23. GOPINATHAN .K, AGED 63 YEARS, CHAITHRAM AMBALANADA WEST CHALAKUDY
CHALAKUDY PO THRISSUR-P.P.O. NO: KR/KCH/17280, PIN-680307
24. OUSEPH ANTONY, AGED 67 YEARS, SANKARAMAKEL HOUSE KULATHOOR PRAYAR
P.O. VELLAVOOR, KOTTAYAM, KERALA PPO NO: KR/KTM/45397, PIN-686541
25. PHILOMINA JOSEPH, AGED 66 YEARS, NIRAVATH HOUSE, MANJOOR
.P.O.KURUPPANTHARA, KOTTAYAM.DIST PPO.NO:KR/KTM/44450, PIN-686603
26. SURESH KUMAR.S, AGED 68 YEARS, PLUMFLOWER MATHER NURSERY SCHOOL
ROAD, CHALIKKAVATTOM, VYTTILA.PO. ERNAKULAM PPO NO: KR/KTM/45415,
PIN-682019
27. SASHIDHARAN PILLAI.B AGED 68 YEARS S/O BHASKARA KURUP, KUSASTHALY,
KATTANAM, PALLICKAL.P.O., ALAPPUZHA, KERALA, PPO NO: KR/KCH/12918,
PIN-690503
28. KARTHIAYANI P. K, AGED 68 YEARS, NIKESH BHAVAN, THEKKUMBHAGAM,
PUTHIYAKAVU, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM KERALA PPO NO: KR/KCH/16773,
PIN-682301
29. RAMACHANDRAN. M. P, AGED 67 YEARS, AMRITHAM PLOT NO:43 PANORAMA
RESIDENCY, KUMARANASAN ROAD, KALOOR (P O)ERNAKULAM PPO NO :
KR/KCH/13610, PIN-682017
30. VARGHESE. K .J, AGED 68 YEARS AIKKARAKANDATHIL HOUSE, PERUVA P O.,
MOORKKATTILPADY, KOTTAYAM DIST. PPO NO:KR/KTM/44447, PIN-686610
31. ALIYAR .E.A, AGED 67 YEARS, ETHY HOUSE SOUTH VAZHAKULAM, PO ALUVA,
ERNAKULAM PPO. NO: KR/KCH/16282, PIN - 683105
32. VIJAYAN T.P, AGED 67 YEARS, THAKIDIYIL (H), MANEED (PO), PIRAVAM-
(VIA), ERNAKULAM-(DIST), KERALA PPO: NO: KR/KCH/13644, PIN-686664
33. KESAVAN. E. M, AGED 67 YEARS, ROHINI, VELIYANAD. P. O. ARAKKUNNAM,
ERNAKULA6-DIST, PPO NO: KR/KCH/16676, PIN-682313
34. JAMES ABRAHAM, AGED 64 YEARS, VELLAPPILLIL HOUSE PIRAVOM P. O.,
ERNAKULAM KERALA, PPO NO: KR/KCH/17282, PIN-686664
35. RAJAIAH. S, AGED 67 YEARS, 11-188/11-165, AMBEDKAR 3D STREET,
VADANTHAMPATTI, SANKARARANKOIL-TALUK, THENKASI- DIST, TAMIL NADU-
STATE PPO NO: MDTNY42871, PIN-627756
36. EPHREM SEBASTIAN, AGED 66 YEARS, VALICKAL HOUSE, THALAYOLAPARAMBU,
KOTTAYAM-DIST PPO NO: KR/KTM/45348, PIN - 686605
37. BABU IYPE, AGED 67 YEARS, ESHNAPPILLIL HOUSE, KAYANAD, OORAMANA PO,
MUVATTUPUZHA PPO NO: KR/KTM/44453, PIN-686663
38. RAMACHAMDRA HARI GAONKAR, AGED 67 YEARS, LOWER MAKHERI, SHEJWAD
POST, KARWAR, KARNATAKA, P.P.O.NO.GBHBL84663, PIN - 581306
39. JOY T.G., AGED 66 YEARS, NAPPADY KRISHNA BHAVAN, KALOOR, KOCHI PPO.
NO. KR/KCH/17055, PIN - 682017
40. PUTHRASAGARAN K.S., AGED 67 YEARS, PURAKKELI HOUSE, NETTOOR P.O.,
ERNAKULAM PPO. NO. KR/KCH/16525, PIN - 682040
41. VIJAYAN MENON P.K., AGED 67 YEARS, KAVUNGAL HOUSE, KOMBATHUKADAV P.O
WP(C) No.1335/2025 3/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
PPO. NO.KR/KCH/17468, PIN - 680682
42. KRISHNAN KUTTY PILLAI P. AGED 67 YEARS SOUPARNIKA, MYNAGAPPALLY P.O.
PPO. NO. KR/KLM/13757, PIN - 690519
43. THANGAL KUNJU K.A., AGED 68 YEARS, KOTTAKKAKKATHU HOUSE, PANMANA
P.O., PPO. NO.KR/KLM/13755, PIN - 691583
44. SURESH P., AGED 66 YEARS, SUBIN BHAVAN, KARUNAGAPPALLY P.O., PPO.
NO. KR/KLM/12661, PIN-690518
45. BHASKARAN MENOKKANDY, AGED 65 YEARS, MENOKKANDY HOUSE, KUNNATHARA
P.O., ULLIYERI PPO. NO.KR/KTM/45577, PIN-673323
46. BABY K.A. AGED 67 YEARS KIZHAKKEPARAMBIL HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O., PPO.
NO. KR/KTM/45396, PIN - 686609
47. RAVEENDRAN V.R., AGED 68 YEARS, VADAKKEDATH HOUSE, NELLAYI P.O.,
PPO. NO. KR/KCH/16889, PIN - 680305
48. KRISHNAN UNNI M, AGED 69 YEARS, SIVAS PARACKAL CHALA, MUTHALAMADA,
GOVINDAPURAM, PALAKKAD PPO. NO. KR/KKD/71185, PIN-678507
49. PRAVEEN P.K,. AGED 66 YEARS, PANIKKASSERY HOUSE, VADUTHALA P.O.,
PPO. NO.KR/KCH/16546, PIN - 682023
50. PRAKASAN P., AGED 67 YEARS, PALLATHIL HOUSE, KOLATHARA P.O.
KOZHIKODE PPO. NO.KR/KKD/71434, PIN-673655
51. R. VELAPPAN, AGED 65 YEARS, SOUPARNIKA, KATTAKKADA P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO.NO. KR/TVM/88934, PIN - 695572
52. GEORGE PLAYTIS C. V., AGED 67 YEARS, C/O. VINCENT, CHULLIKKATT
HOUSE, CHENDAMANGALAM P.O., PPO. NO. KR/KCH/17057, PIN-683512
53. SOBAN A.K., AGED 68 YEARS, ANDALATTU HOUSE, MALIPPURAM P.O., VYPEEN
PPO. NO. KR/KTM/45394, PIN - 682511
54. CHACKOCHAN M. M., AGED 63 YEARS, MANALODIYIL HOUSE, KARIKODU P.O.,
KOTTAYAM PPO. NO. KR/KTM/44945, PIN - 686610
55. ARAVINDAKSHAN NAIR P. K., AGED 66 YEARS, VISHNULOKAM, VELLOOR,
MEVELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM, PPO. NO. KR/KTM/44939, PIN - 686609
56. VASU P. K. AGED 70 YEARS PADINJAREKAIPARAMPIL HOUSE, BRAHMAMANGALAM
P.O., PPO. NO. KR/KTM/4930, PIN - 686605
57. M. R. CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR AGED 68 YEARS MELETHIL HOUSE, ATTACHAKKAL
P.O., KONNI PPO. NO. KR/TVM/89264, PIN - 689692
58. SASIKUMAR C. G. AGED 68 YEARS KRRA-31, KARUVAKKAT HOUSE,
KOOTHAPPILLY ROAD, PONNURUNNI, VYTTILA P.O. PPO. NO.
KR/KCH/16680,PIN - 682019
59. THOMAS.A, AGED 64 YEARS PUTHENPURAKKAL HOUSE, MUKKADU, KAVANADU P.O,
KOLLAM PPO. NO. KR/KTM/41710, PIN - 691003
60. M.JOSHY, AGED 57 YEARS, THANAL, PONGANADU P.O, KILIMANOOR,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO. NO. KR/TVM/88935, PIN-695601
61. ANTONY M.V, AGED 65 YEARS, MULAKKAMPILLY HOUSE,KUZHUR . PO, MALA,
THRISSUR-DT PPO.NO:KR/KCH/89944, PIN - 680734
62. VIJAYAN K.K, AGED 65 YEARS, KURUPPUMPARAMBIL HOUSE, VELOOR, KOTTAYAM
WEST,KOTTAYAM DT.PPO. NO: KR/KTM/44987, PIN - 686003
63. SREEKUMARAPILLAI M.B, AGED 65 YEARS THUNDIL, VIII/542, KUNDALOOR
SOUTH, PULLUKULANGARA, KUWDALLOR. PO, ALAPPUZHA -DT, PIN - 690535
64. MARCOSE T.P AGED 66 YEARS THYKOOTATHIL HOUSE, PIRAVAM P.O, ERNAKULAM
PPO.NO:KR/KTM/45202, PIN - 686664
RESPONDENTS:
WP(C) No.1335/2025 4/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
1. UNION OF INDIA (UOI),REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA,
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN -
110001
2. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, ADITYA SABARI TOWER, POST OFFICE
ROAD, THIRUNNAKKARA, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686001
3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES
PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KALOOR,
ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017
4. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES
PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
ERANJIPALAM, KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673006
5. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES
PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), P.B.NO.117, FORT BUILDING,
V.K.COMPLEX, FORT ROAD, KANNUR, PIN-670001
6. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN, 24
BELLILIOUS ROAD, 6TH FLOOR, HOWRAH WEST BENGAL, PIN - 711101
7. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN, NGO B
COLONY,PERUMALPURAM, PO, TIRUNELVELI, TAMIL NADU, PIN - 627007
8. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN, NEW
BLOCK NO.10, NAVANAGAR, BEHIND INCOME TAX OFFICE, HUBLLI,
KARANATAKA, PIN - 580025
9. KERALA PAPPER PRODUCTS LTD REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEWS
PRINT NAGAR P.O,KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686616
10. KERALA INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION KINFRA)
KINFRA HOUSE,REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR, 31/2312,
SASTHAMANGALAM, THIRUVANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695019
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 all other proceedings pursuant to Ext.P12 as the
petitioners are getting higher pension, pending disposal of the writ
petition
This petition coming on for orders upon perusing the petition and
the affidavit filed in support of WP(C) and upon hearing the arguments of
M/S. P.N.MOHANAN, C.P.SABARI, AMRUTHA SURESH & GILROY ROZARIO, Advocates
for the petitioners and SRI. NITA N.S, Advocate for R2, R4 & R5, the court
passed the following:
WP(C) No.1335/2025 5/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, J.
========================
W.P.(C)No.1335 of 2025
=================
Dated this the 15th day of January, 2025
ORDER
Admit. Learned CGC takes notice for the 1st
respondent. Smt.Nita N.S., learned Standing
Counsel takes notice for respondents 2 to 8.
Sri.Abel Tom Benny, learned Standing Counsel
takes notice for the 9th respondent. Sri.P.U.
Shylajan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice
for the 10th respondent.
Post on 20.01.2025.
Sd/-
MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
JUDGE
SB
WP(C) No.1335/2025 6/6 Order Date : 15-01-2025
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 1335/2025
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12.10.2018 OF THE
DIVISION BENCH IN SASIKUMAR V. UNION OF INDIA REPORTED
IN ILR 2019 (1) KER 614
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 04.10.2026 IN R.C.GUPTA
VS. REGIONAL PF COMMISSIONER AS REPORTED IN 2018 (14)
SC 809
Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.03.2017 OF THE
ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, NEW
DELHI
Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE ONE OF THE LIST OF OPTION EXERCISED BY
THE PETITIONERS DATED 25.11.2019
Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE ONE OF THE LIST OF OPTION EXERCISED BY
THE PETITIONERS DATED 10.12.2019
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED NIL OF THE SECOND
RESPONDENT DIRECTING TO REMIT THE AMOUNT IN RESPECT OF
THE SECOND PETITIONER
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION AND ANOTHER V. SUNIL KUMAR B AND OTHERS AS
REPORTED IN 2022 (7) KHC 12 (SC)
Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 22.11.2006 OF THE
ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER
Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 22.01.2019 ISSUED BY THE
ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 07.02.2019 OF THE
ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER
Exhibit P11 THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE AGREEMENT ENTERED BETWEEN
HNL & KINFRA
Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE MESSAGE RECEIVED IN ON-LINE FROM
VARIOUS EPFO'S BY THE PETITIONERS
Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 09.12.2024 IN IN
Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 31.03.2023 IN
Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY INTERIM ORDER 11.04.2023 IN
