Mohan S vs Union Of India
2025 Latest Caselaw 5357 Ker

Kerala High Court

Mohan S vs Union Of India on 21 March, 2025

Author: Murali Purushothaman

Bench: Murali Purushothaman

WP(C) No.11494/2025                        1/7                         Order Date : 21-03-2025

                         IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
                                         PRESENT
                      THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN


                 Friday, the 21st day of March 2025 / 30th Phalguna, 1946

                                 WP(C) NO. 11494 OF 2025
   PETITIONERS:

      1. MOHAN S, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. M.N SREEDHARAN NAIR, RESIDING AT SREE
         PRASADAM, RAJIVJI ROAD, THOMASPURAM, MARADU P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         682304
      2. PEETHAMBARAN P.G, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. GOPALAN P.K, RESIDING AT
         PANDIPARA HOUSE, NURSERY SCHOOL ROAD, PONNURUNNI EAST, VYTTILA P.O,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682019
      3. VENUGOPALAN P.N, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN V, RESIDING AT
         NAVAPUSHPAM, SOUTH CHITTOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682027
      4. PAUL SUDHAKAR, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. SUDHAKARAN, RESIDING AT PAVITHRAM,
         VIKAS NAGAR, MARADU P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682304
      5. SHOBHA P ,AGED 65 YEARS D/O. RAGHAVAN P, RESIDING AT SOUBHAGYA,
         56/1049, VIDYANAGAR, VNRA-105, KADAVANTHRA, KOCHI, PIN - 682020
      6. ABDUL ZIDDIK K.M, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. MUHAMMAD KANNU RAWTHER,
         RESIDING AT ARANJANAL HOUSE, ALANGAD P.O, MALIKAM PEEDIKA, N PARAVUR
         TALUK, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683511
      7. THOMAS P.X, AGED 66 YEARS S/O. XAVIER P.T, RESIDING AT PADATHARA
         HOUSE, P D ROAD, PALLURUTHY P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682006
      8. KAILASAN N.S, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. SUBRAMANIAN N.P, RESIDING AT
         NADUVILAPURAKKAL HOUSE, MOOTHAKUNNAM, NORTH PARAVOOR P.O, ERNAKULAM,
         PIN - 683516
      9. SAITHU MUHAMMED M.M, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. MOHAMMED M.M, RESIDING AT
         MUDANASSERIL HOUSE, KARUKAPPILLY, DESHABHIMANI ROAD, KALOOR,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017
     10. JOHN K.A, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. VARKEY AUGUSTINE, RESIDING AT
         KUDIYIRICKAL HOUSE, MUDAVOOR P.O, MUVATTUPUZHA, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         686669
     11. SURENDRAN. M, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KUTTAN MADHAVAN, RESIDING AT
         POOVANKERIPARAMBIL, NORTH JANATHA, 117- YMJ RODD, PALARIVATTOM P O,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682025
     12. MOHAN SAMUEL, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. V.C SAMUEL, RESIDING AT VALLIYATH
         HOUSE, NEAR LAYOLA, THAIKKATTUKARA P.O, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         683106
     13. SURESH K.R, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. RAJAN, RESIDING AT JOLLY BHAVAN,
         KACHERIPADY, CHERANELLORE P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682034
     14. BASHEER V.H, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. HASSAN V.P, VELLAPPALLIL HOUSE,
         SANTHINAGAR ROAD, VENNALA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682028
     15. RADHAKRISHNAN P.G, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. GOPALAN NAIR N, RESIDING AT
         PUTHAN VEETTIL, SOORANAD NORTH, ANAYADI P.O, KOLLAM, PIN - 690561
     16. NALINAKSHAN . C AGED 62 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN NAIR, RESIDING AT
         KIZHAKKEDATH, L I G 16, SASTRI NAGAR, SMARTO ROAD, KADAVANTHRA,
         ERNAKULAM , PIN - 682020
 WP(C) No.11494/2025                    2/7                        Order Date : 21-03-2025

     17. RAJAN T.V AGED 63 YEARS S/O. VELLI .E, RESIDING AT MADATHIL HOUSE,
         SNRA 291, EROOR NORTH P.O, MARONA PANDATHIL CROSS ROAD,
         THRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682306
     18. KUNJU RAMAN RAVINDRANATHAN ACHARI AGED 65 YEARS S/O. KUNJURAMAN V,
         RESIDING AT LIG 31, CC 58/1909, KASTURBA NAGAR, KADAVANTHRA, KOCHI,
         PIN - 682020
     19. M.V JOSE AGED 63 YEARS S/O. VAREED, RESIDING AT MULLAMKUZHY HOUSE,
         MURINGOOR, KINFRA P.O, THRISSUR, PIN - 680309
     20. RADHAKRISHNAN D.S AGED 62 YEARS S/O. DIVAKARAN NAIR K, RESIDING AT
         SAI DARSAN, LIG 776, PANAMPILLY NAGAR P.O, PANAMPILLY NAGAR,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682036
     21. SUNANDAN T.S AGED 64 YEARS S/O. A.S. SOOLAPANI, RESIDING AT 4 S
         COTTAGE, 31/9B, AMBELIPADAM ROAD, VYTTILA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682019
     22. SASIDHARAN D AGED 65 YEARS S/O. DIVAKARAN P, RESIDING AT SILPA
         NIVAS, JOHN P KOYITHARA ROAD, KADAVANTHRA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         682020
     23. CLEETUS M.G AGED 65 YEARS S/O. GEORGE L, RESIDING AT MAKKAPARAMBIL
         HOUSE, POPULAR ROAD, ELAMAKKARA, KOCHI, PIN - 682026
     24. SOBHA A AGED 65 YEARS D/O. APPU PANICKER A, RESIDING AT KEZHUPPILLIL
         MADAM, KEZHUPILLIL CROSS ROAD, KADAVANTHRA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         682020
     25. BALAKRISHNAN K.D AGED 63 YEARS S/O. DAMODARAN K.K, RESIDING AT
         POURNAMI HOUSE, KONDOOR, ARUVITHARA P.O, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686122
     26. E.A RAJALAKSHMI AGED 63 YEARS W/O. MADHAVAN NAIR, RESIDING AT SREEJA
         BHAVAN, MANUEL LANE, THYKOODAM, VYTTILA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682019
     27. JOSE M.A AGED 64 YEARS S/O. YACOB M.K, RESIDING AT MUTTAPPILLIL
         HOUSE, PERUVA P.O, MULAKULAM, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686610
     28. KURUVILA T.K AGED 65 YEARS S/O. KURUVILLA T.K, RESIDING AT THUNDIYIL
         HOUSE, KUREEKAD P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682305
     29. RADHAKRISHNAN K.N AGED 64 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN K.K, RESIDING AT
         KIZHAKKE KARIKKETHU HOUSE, THALACODE P.O, MULANTHURUTHY, ERNAKULAM,
         PIN - 682314
     30. JAYAPRAKASH V.R AGED 63 YEARS S/O. V.G. VIJAYARAJ, RESIDING AT
         ARATHI, ATTUKAL, PANAYAMUTTOM P.O, NEDUMANGAD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
         PIN - 695561
     31. V. SURESH BABU AGED 65 YEARS S/O. VASUDEVAN K, RESIDING AT SURESH
         VIHAR, VETTIKKAPPILLY, UDAYAMPEROOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682301
     32. SURESH BABU R AGED 65 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVAN PILLAI, RESIDING AT
         GOVINDAM, PLOT NO 167, VINOBHA NAGAR, CHILAVANNUR, KADAVANTHRA P.O,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682020
     33. GREGORIOSE P.V AGED 65 YEARS S/O. VARGHESE P.P, RESIDING AT PALATTY
         HOUSE, HOUSE NO. 47, MOOKKANNUR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683577
     34. VIJAYANANDU P.K AGED 64 YEARS S/O. P.K. KOCHUKUTTAN, RESIDING AT
         PANDANKARIYIL HOUSE, VALAMANGALAM NORTH, THURAVOOR P.O, CHERTHALA,
         ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688532
     35. OUSEPH P.O AGED 65 YEARS S/O. OUSEPH P.A, RESIDING AT PALATTY HOUSE,
         C.N 78, EAST CHURCH, ANGAMALY P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683572
     36. ISMAIL P M AGED 63 YEARS S/O. MUHAMMED ALI P A, RESIDING AT
         PAIMATTATHIL HOUSE, CHERIPARAMBU ROAD, NRTTOOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         682040
 WP(C) No.11494/2025                    3/7                        Order Date : 21-03-2025

     37. VILSON .S AGED 65 YEARS S/O. ULAHANNAN C.K, RESIDING AT SRAMBIIL
         HOUSE, MEKKADAMBU P.O, MUVATTUPUZHA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682316
     38. NARAYANAN KUTTY .B AGED 62 YEARS S/O. BHSKARA PANICKER P, RESIDING
         AT NJATTAIL VADKKU CHIRAYIL HOUSE, EZHUPUNNA, ERAMALLOOR P.O,
         ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688537
     39. HARIDAS N AGED 64 YEARS S/O. T.N NARAYANAN NAIR, RESIDING AT KRA-62,
         PRAYAGA, ST JOSEPH CHURCH ROAD, KADAVANTHRA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN -
         682020
     40. PRAMODE K. P AGED 61 YEARS S/O. PRABHAKARAN K . K, RESIDING AT
         KATTIPARAMBIL, NAYARAMBALAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682509
     41. SADASIVAN PRASAD AGED 62 YEARS S/O. SADASIVAN R, RESIDING AT
         KARTHIKA, AZHUVELIPARAMBIL, KALLUPALAM, KADAVANTHRA P.O, ERNAKULAM,
         PIN - 682020
     42. JAMES P.J AGED 65 YEARS S/O. JOSEPH P.T, RESIDING AT PARIMANATH
         HOUSE, 55/1750, CLUB ROAD, KADAVANTHRA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682020
     43. DHANARAJAN N AGED 65 YEARS S/O. NARAYANA MENON P.K, RESIDING AT
         MENOKOOTTIL HOUSE, MATHANAM KAVAL VADAKKU, AROOKUTTY P.O, ALAPPUZHA,
         PIN - 688535
     44. BABU A.T AGED 63 YEARS S/O. THOMA A.M, RESIDING AT AREEKAL HOUSE,
         CHERIA VAPPALASSERY, ANGAMALI SOUTH P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683573
     45. GOVINDANKUTTY P.M AGED 65 YEARS S/O. GOPALAN NAIR K, RESIDING AT
         MELE KANIKKATTIL HOUSE, FAROOK COLLEGE P.O, KOZHIKKODE, PIN - 673632
     46. HARIYAPPAN V AGED 64 YEARS S/O. VASAPPAN V, RESIDING AT THAYAPPALI
         VELI, KUREEKAD P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682305
     47. JACOB K.P AGED 64 YEARS S/O. SKARIAH POULOSE, RESIDING AT
         KIZHAKKANETH, ONAKKOOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686667
     48. KESAVAN NAIR K.P AGED 65 YEARS S/O. PARAMESWARAN PILLAI N, RESIDING
         AT T 3, BLOCK A, RIDGE WOOD CONDOS, V P G AVENUE, 5 TH STREET EXTN,
         METTUKUPPAM, THORAIPAKKAM CHENNAI, PIN - 600097
     49. RAJAN N.E AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAMBIAR K.K, RESIDING AT
         NELLORE EDAKLAPRATH HOUSE, NEAR PERUL U P SCHOOL, M M BAZAR P.O,
         KANNUR, PIN - 670306
     50. S PRADEEP KUMAR AGED 63 YEARS S/O. SADASIVAN NAIR K S, RESIDING AT
         SOWPARNIKA, RAMAN KARTHA ROAD, CHERANALLUR P.O, KALOOR, ERNAKULAM,
         PIN - 682034
     51. SALIMKUMAR P.V AGED 64 YEARS S/O. G. PONNAPPAN, RESIDING AT 18/2062
         A, DEEPAM, VALUMMEL ROAD, THOPPUMPADY P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682005
     52. MURALEEDHARAN K.M AGED 65 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN K.K, RESIDING AT H.NO
         18/1540, LAKSHMY MANDIR, PALLCHAL ROAD, THOPPUIMPADY P.O, KOCHI, PIN
         - 682005
     53. JOHN T.J AGED 64 YEARS S/O. JOSEPH T.P, RESIDING AT THARAYIL HOUSE,
         THUMPOLI P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688008
     54. JOSEPH LAMBRE AGED 63 YEARS S/O. ANTONY PAUL, RESIDING AT BAVAKKAT
         HOUSE, NIRAVATH ROAD, MARADU P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682304
     55. BABURAJENDRAN T.G AGED 65 YEARS S/O. GOPALAN, RESIDING AT MIG 470,
         PANAMPILLY NAGAR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682036
     56. JOHNSON P.K AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KOCHAPPAN P.L, RESIDING AT PALIAKKARA
         HOUSE, PERAMBRA P.O, THRISSUR, PIN - 680689
     57. RAJEEV E.N AGED 64 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN M, RESIDING AT C/O.
         NARAYANAN, MANIYOTH HOUSE, ANGLO INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD, VADUTHALA P.O,
 WP(C) No.11494/2025                    4/7                        Order Date : 21-03-2025

         KOCHI, PIN - 682023
     58. JALEEL P.M AGED 65 YEARS S/O. BAVA, RESIDING AT PAYYATTIL HOUSE,
         PAYYATTIL ROAD, VENNALA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682028
     59. VARGHESE I AGED 64 YEARS S/O. ISSAC P T, RESIDING AT PANCHARIL
         HOUSE, CONVENT ROAD, VYTTILA P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682019
     60. ABDULLA K.M AGED 65 YEARS S/O. MOHAMMED K.M, RESIDING AT THOPPIL
         HOUSE, MUVATTUPUZHA P.O, ERNAKUALAM, PIN - 686661
     61. THOMAS K.J AGED 65 YEARS S/O. POTHEN JOSEPH, RESIDING AT KANICHERIL
         HOUSE, FRIENDS NAGAR, KONTHURUTHY, THEVARA P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682013
     62. LAKSHMANAN A AGED 65 YEARS S/O. KORAN, RESIDING AT 33/1536B, SANTHI
         NAGAR ROAD, VENNALA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682028
     63. SURESH P.N AGED 65 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN P.V, RESIDING AT SUNITHA
         NIVAS, SOUTH VAZHAKKULAM P.O, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683105
     64. KRISHNA PISHARADY C.K AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KRISHNA PISHARADY, RESIDING
         AT CHIRACKAL PISHARAM, VARICKAM KUNNU, KARIPADAM P.O, KOTTAYAM, PIN
         - 686605
     65. PARAMESWARAN A.B, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNAN A.N, RESIDING AT
         ARYAPPADATH HOUSE, KAMBIVELIKKAKAM, VAZHAKKALA, KAKKANAD P.O, KOCHI,
         PIN - 682030
     66. PRASAD K, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHAN NAIR, RESIDING AT VATTOLIL
         HOUSE, IRINGOLE P.O, PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683548
     67. IYPE KOSHY, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. KOSHY MUTHALALY C.G, RESIDING AT
         CHIRAKAROTU VEEDU, V T C MELILA, CHENGAMANAD JUNCTION P.O, KOLLAM,
         PIN - 691557
     68. DINESH U, AGED 65 YEARS S/O. UNNI APPAN I.K, RESIDING AT ARUNODAYAM
         (H), ERUVELI, CHOTTANIKKARA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682312
     69. PRABHAKARAN K.N, AGED 64 YEARS S/O. NARAYANAN K.K, RESIDING AT
         18/1932 A, KOTTARATHIL HOUSE, VALUMMEL ROAD, PALLURUTHY P.O,
         ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682006

   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 FUND COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, 14, BHIKAJI
         CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110066
      3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
         ORGANISATION, KALOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017
      4. COCHIN SHIPYARD LTD (CSL), PERUMANOOR PO, COCHIN, KERALA,
         REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, PIN - 682015


        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 direct the respondents 2 and 3 to compute the pensionable
   salary based on the average of last drawn 60 months salary immediately
   preceding the date of exit from the pension fund, in compliance with
   para11(4) of the scheme, 1995 pending disposal of the above writ petition
 WP(C) No.11494/2025                    5/7                       Order Date : 21-03-2025

        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 R.SANJITH & C.S.SINDHU KRISHNAH, Advocates for the petitioners, SRI.
   SAJEEV KUMAR K.GOPAL Advocate for R2 & R3, the court passed the following:
 WP(C) No.11494/2025                              6/7                 Order Date : 21-03-2025




           W.P(C) Nos.11439 and 11494 of 2025




                             MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, J.
                          ==========================

                            W.P(C) Nos.11439 and 11494 of 2025
                          ==========================

                            Dated this the 21st day of March, 2025

                                                ORDER

The learned Central Government Counsel takes notice for

the 1st respondent. Sri.Sajeev Kumar K. Gopal takes notice for

respondents 2 and 3. Sri.Saji Varghese T.G takes notice for the

4th respondent.

The learned Standing Counsel for the EPFO to place on

record a counter affidavit.

Sd/-

MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, JUDGE GBG WP(C) No.11494/2025 7/7 Order Date : 21-03-2025

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 11494/2025 Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR BEARING NO PENSION/2022/56259/16541 DATED 20/02/2023 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERNAL CIRCULAR DATED 14/02/2024 ISSUED BY 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 01/06/2023 BEARING NOS.

PENSION/SC/HIGHER PENSION/2022/1357 ISSUED BY 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 13/12/2023 BEARING NOS.

NO.E-399180/2543 ISSUED BY 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 14/03/2019 BEARING NOS.

NO.PEN-1/MEETING/DIGITIZATION/2019/18533 ISSUED BY 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE OFFICE ORDER BEARING NO. PERL/2(10)/07 VOL III DATED 02/04/2018 Exhibit P6(a) TRUE COPY OF THE MOS BEARING NO. 8(29,30,31 &

32)/2019/B6 DATED 18/06/2019 ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT OF 4TH RESPONDENT AND ITS WORKMEN REPRESENTED BY THEIR REGISTERED TRADE UNION Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 10/12/2024 IN WPC NO.15353/2024 OF THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR BEARING NO.

PENSION/V1/POHW/2024/EFILE-951977/ DATED 18/01/2025 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT