Kerala High Court
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner vs Chandran K on 12 September, 2025
Author: Murali Purushothaman
Bench: Murali Purushothaman
2025:KER:67791
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
FRIDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025 / 21ST BHADRA, 1947
RP NO. 132 OF 2025
AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 09.12.2024 IN WP(C) NO.11288 OF 2023
REVIEW PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT:
REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION,
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,
ADITYA SABARI TOWER, POST OFFICE ROAD,
THIRUNNAKKARA, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686001
BY ADV SRI.JOY THATTIL ITTOOP, SC, EPF ORGANISA
SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN (SR.)
RESPONDENT/S:
1 CHANDRAN K., AGED 63 YEARS
RADHANIVAS, PERIMPAKKONAM, PALIYODE,
KOTTACKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039425, PIN - 695124
2 P. HAREENDRAN NAIR, AGED 63 YEARS
SIVAKRIPA, VADAKARA P.O., THALAYOLAPARAMBU,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00041283 - 686605
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3 VARGHESE.E.J, AGED 63 YEARS
EINAKULATHIL HOUSE, PAZHOOR EAST, PIRAVOM P.O.,
ERNAKULAM, KERALA P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00106363 -
686664
4 SREEPATHY R, AGED 63 YEARS
SREEGANESAM, SANSKRIT COLLEGE ROAD,
TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042087, PIN - 682301
5 BENNY P. B., AGED 66 YEARS
PASHNIPARAMBIL, THEJUS, 1170/46,
GCDA ROAD, VADUTHALA,
KOCHI. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00093166, PIN - 682023
6 GANESAN P., AGED 65 YEARS
C/O.PERUMAL PILLAI, LAKSHMI NILAYAM,
VEERANPOTTA, ATHICODE P.O;NATTUKKAL, PALAKKAD.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00061757, PIN - 678554
7 MOHANAN NAIR K., AGED 63 YEARS
GEETHAM VPS 234, VATTAVILA THIRUMALA P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00084629, PIN - 695006
8 VANAJAKUMARI B., AGED 64 YEARS
SREESAILAMNN, MRA-108, THENGAPURALANE,
KAITHAMUKKU, PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00082338, PIN - 695024
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9 JOHNY M.V., AGED 63 YEARS
MADATHUMPADY HOUSE, CRA 26, CHAMPOKADAVU ROAD,
EDAPPALLY P.O., ERNAKULAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00047027, PIN - 682024
10 UNNIKRISHNAN C., AGED 62 YEARS
CHEMPLLY HOUSE,KINAVALLUR P.O; PARALI, PALAKKAD.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00044184, PIN - 678612
11 ABRAHAM K.A, AGED 63 YEARS
KANDATHIL, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P.O.,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00038923, PIN -
686605
12 VARGHESE V.M., AGED 63 YEARS
POOVATHUMMOOTTIL HOUSE, MEENADOM P.O;
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/0041244, PIN -
686516
13 BHARGAVAN PILLAI R., AGED 64 YEARS
UTHRADAM HOUSE, PUNNAMOODUE, MAVELIKARA P.O.,
ALAPPUZHA DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00100345, PIN -
690101
14 JOSE P.A., AGED 65 YEARS
PUTHUSSERY HOUSE, MG 1ST LANE ROAD, KONGORPILLY
P.O., ERNAKULAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00095062,
PIN - 683518
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15 DR. LATHA N.J., AGED 65 YEARS
JANAKINILAYAM, CRRA 104, CHIRAKKULAM ROAD,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00045372-
695001
16 SASIKALA S., AGED 64 YEARS
AMBADI, POTHY, THALAYOLAPARAMBU,
MIDAYIKUUNU P.O., KOTTAYAM DIST.,
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00036891, PIN - 686605
17 MURALIDHARAN A., AGED 66 YEARS
SREENILAYAM HOUSE, KULAYETTIKKARA P.O;
ARAYANKAVU, ERNAKULAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00089205, PIN - 682315
18 P REGHUNADHAN, AGED 69 YEARS
ANJALY BHAVAN,CHENAVILA, AREEPLACHY P.O;
KURUVIKONAM, PUNALUR, KOLLAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00080847, PIN - 691333
19 SOMARAJAN PILLAI, AGED 67 YEARS
KUDAJADRI, PULIYOORVACHI EAST, THAZHAVA P.O,
KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM ,
P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00093937, PIN - 690523
20 THANGARAJA S.,AGED 63 YEARS
354/1A, 15TH SOUTH STREET,
THIYAGARAJA NAGAR P.O., PALLAYMKOTTAI - TALUK,
TIRUNELVELI DIST. - P.P.O.NO.MD/TNY/00131904-
627011
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21 MADANAMOHANAN N., AGED 66 YEARS
VAZHARATHALA HOUSE, MAMPAZHAKARA,
PERUMPAZHUTHOOR P.O., TRIVANDRUM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00076162, PIN - 695126
22 RAM MOHAN G.,AGED 65 YEARS
SANTHIMA, VENDAR P.O; KOTTRAKKARA, KOLLAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00098939, PIN - 691507
23 RAVI N. T.,AGED 65 YEARS
MALPALLIL HOUSE, VELLOOR, MEVELLOOR P.O; KOTTAYAM
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039235, PIN - 686609
24 SOMADAS K., AGED 64 YEARS
SAUPARNIKA, THAZHIKARA P.O., MAVELIKARA,
ALAPPUZHA, KERALA. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00105436, PIN
- 690102
25 SUNNY K. C., AGED 64 YEARS
KIZHAKKANAMTHADATHIL HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O.,
VELLOOR, KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00043077,
PIN - 686609
26 BAJIRAO RAKHAMAJI SHELKE
AGED 64 YEARS
AT POST ALE, TALUKA JUNNAR, DIST. PUNE,
MAHARASTRA STATE. P.P.O.NO.PUPUN00118829, PIN -
412411
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27 SUNNY JOSEPH
AGED 63 YEARS
MUNJANATTU HOUSE, CHAKKAMPUZHA P.O., PALA,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042126, PIN -
686574
28 GOPALAN K.
AGED 66 YEARS
GEETHALAYAM HOUSE, MANGUZHIPOTTA, PULINCHODE,
VAIDAYARANGADI P.O., KOZHIKODE.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00057033, PIN - 673633
29 CHANDRAKUMAR P.
AGED 63 YEARS
AMBAKUDI VEEDU, MARIYAPURAM P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00081219, PIN - 695122
30 JOY P.M.
AGED 66 YEARS
PADINJAREKUDILIL HOUSE, KOKKAPPILLY P.O.,
THIRUVAMKULAM (VIA.), ERNAKULAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00090493, PIN - 682305
31 POULOSE K.V.
AGED 63 YEARS
KANNAPARAMBAN HOUSE, PADINJARE, CHALAKUDY, NEAR
RAILWAY STATION, CHALAKUDY P.O., THRISSUR DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00114025, PIN - 680307
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32 RAVI K.E.
AGED 63 YEARS
C/O EACHERAN K.R., KOLAVELIPARAMBIL,
KANNAMKUZHISSERY, KURUMASSERY P.O., ERNAKULAM
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00114307, PIN - 683579
33 VIJAYAN M. I.
AGED 64 YEARS
MALIAKAL HOUSE, ATTUPURAM, AYROOR P.O., ALUVA,
ERNAKULAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00112192, PIN -
683579
34 E.V. SOMAN NAIR
AGED 69 YEARS
SREESAILAM, PUTHUSSERIMALA P.O., RANNY,
PATHANAMTHITTA DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00067391,
PIN - 689672
35 BAHULEYAN K.K.
AGED 65 YEARS
THATTARUPARAMBIL HOUSE, EDAVATTOM P.O.,
THALAYOLAPARAMBU (VIA.), KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035896, PIN - 686605
36 VIMALA A.V
AGED 63 YEARS
KALAPPURACKAL HOUSE, KSHB COLONY,
VETTIKKATTUMUKKU, VADAKARA P.O., KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042119, PIN - 686605
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37 SUNNY M.J
AGED 64 YEARS
MADATHUMPADY, ROSEBHAVAN, MANAKAPADY, MULAKULAM,
KARIKODE P.O., KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042331, PIN - 686610
38 MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI D
AGED 63 YEARS
KARTHIKA. NANGIARKULANGARA P.O;
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00114767, PIN - 690513
39 THOMAS.A
AGED 63 YEARS
PUTHENPURAKKAL HOUSE, MUKKADU, KAVANAD P.O,
KOLLAM , P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/0041710, PIN - 691003
40 JOE MAMMEN K
AGED 64 YEARS
KAVUMKOTTETHU HOUSE, CHIRAYIRAMPU P.O., MARAMON,
PATHANAMTHITTA DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00078486,
PIN - 689549
41 XAVIER K.V
AGED 64 YEARS
KOOVAPPALLIL HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O; VELLOOR,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00040091, PIN -
686609
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42 VASANDAKUMAR P.N
AGED 61 YEARS
A98/391 HNL COLONY, NEWSPRINT NAGAR P.O.,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00044569, PIN -
686616
43 DILEEPKUMAR N.
AGED 61 YEARS
S/O NANAPPAN, KURISALAPPARAMBIL HOUSE,
PANICKERKADAVU, SV MARKET P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY,
KOLLAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00043250, PIN -
690573
44 MOHANANPILLAI S.
AGED 65 YEARS
KARTHIKA VEEDU,NEAR PULIMATH TEMPLE, PULIMATH
P.O; THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,KERALA.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035810, PIN - 695612
45 BABY T.V
AGED 62 YEARS
THEYATHU HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042326, PIN - 686609
46 ZACHARIA ABRAHAM
AGED 63 YEARS
THAYYIL HOUSE,KUTTOOR P.O., THIRUVELLA - 6,
PATHANAMTHITTA DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00080494,
PIN - 689106
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47 RAVINDRAN PILLAI V.
AGED 63 YEARS
KOTTAUDEPADEETATHIL HOUSE, OLAKETTIYAMVALAM P.O.,
PONNEZHA, MAVELIKKARA, ALAPUZHA DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00041466, PIN - 690510
48 NANDLAL SINGH
AGED 63 YEARS
VILLAGE - TATHIRPUR, MAHEBAYANI P.O., LAKHIMPUR
KHER DIST., UTTAR PRADESH.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00040054, PIN - 261506
49 HARIKUMAR P.S
AGED 64 YEARS
PEANDANATH HOUSE, KANJIRAMATTOM, THODUPUZHA EAST
P.O., KERALA. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042491, PIN -
685585
50 DEVENDRA PRASAD YADAV
AGED 65 YEARS
S/O BOUKU PRASAD YADAV NANDLALPUR NEAR ITC MILK
DIARY, DEVSAN BHAWAN, BENIGIR P.O., MUNGER DIST.,
BIHAR. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00033553, PIN - 811202
51 CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR T.K
AGED 65 YEARS
THEKKEDATH HOUSE,TALAYOLAPARAMBU P.O; KOTTAYAM
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00034932, PIN - 686605
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52 AMBIKA N.K
AGED 63 YEARS
MURALIKA, VELLOOR, MEVELLOOR P.O; KOTTAYAM
DIST.KERALA. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00041166, PIN -
686609
53 JOHN CYRIAC
AGED 64 YEARS
AYIRATTIPADAVIL HOUSE, KARIKODE P.O., PERUVA,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00043329, PIN -
686610
54 SUKUMARAN V.K.
AGED 64 YEARS
VADAKKE PARAMBIL HOUSE, KARIKODE P.O., PERUVA,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00040079, PIN -
686610
55 THARMARAJ M.
AGED 64 YEARS
10/328, CARMEL HOUSE,KAMARAJNAGAR
PAVOORCHATHRAM,TENKASI, TAMILNADU.
P.P.O.NO.MD/TNY/00124062, PIN - 627808
56 SUDHAKARA KURUP
AGED 66 YEARS
ASWATHY BHAVANAM, ERAVICHIRA EAST, SOORANADU
SOUTH, KOLLAM. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00097832, PIN -
699522
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57 VARGHESE PAUL
AGED 64 YEARS
KARIMPUMKALA PUTHUSSERIL HOUSE, THURUTHY P.O;
PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00101117, PIN - 683545
58 VALSALAN N.V.,
AGED 63 YEARS
SOUPARNIKA, ATHIYADAM, SREESTHA P.O, KANNUR P.O ,
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00040394, PIN - 670303
59 BABU C.G.
AGED 68 YEARS
HARITHA, PANAVALLY P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPUZHA.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00078871, PIN - 688526
60 DIVAKARAN M.T.
AGED 66 YEARS
SREESRUTHY, THURUTHY LANE, UDAYAMPEROOR P.O.,
ERNAKULAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00089085, PIN -
682307
61 SANATHANAN K.
AGED 63 YEARS
GEETHA NIVAS,VAZHAPPALLY WEST P.O;
CHANGANACHERRY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042853, PIN - 686103
62 ABRAHAM P. GEORGE
AGED 66 YEARS
MUKKATTU HOUSE, KURICHY, SACHIVOTHAMAPURAM P.O.,
KOTTAYAM DIST. KR/KTM/00033517, PIN - 686532
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63 BABY V.T
AGED 61 YEARS
MUNDUVELIL HOUSE, KEEZHOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039423, PIN - 686605
64 BABU R.B
AGED 65 YEARS
SOUPARNIKA, THONNALLOOR, MEVELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035539, PIN - 686609
65 K.D.VIJAYALAKSHMI
AGED 65 YEARS
AIKAANALIL, KARIKODE P.O; PERUVA, KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035313, PIN - 686610
66 GEORGE JOSEPH
AGED 61 YEARS
MULLOOPARAMPIL HOUSE, MUTHOLAPURAM P.O., ELANJI,
ERNAKULAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00113549, PIN -
686665
67 KANAGARAJ R.
AGED 66 YEARS
12/17F MADATHUVILAI, VIRIKODE P.O., KANYAKUMARI
DIST., TAMIL NADU. P.P.O.NO.MD/NKL/00107364, PIN
- 629165
68 RAMACHANDRAN NAIR P.R.
AGED 65 YEARS
PULLIAT HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O., MEVELLOOR,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00038403, PIN -
686609
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69 R.V. DEV
AGED 68 YEARS
PRANAVAM, KARIKODE P.O., PERUVA, KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00029138, PIN - 686610
70 BABU SURESHKUMAR K.C.
AGED 68 YEARS
VARISHTA, KAPPILLIPARA, MUNDUR P.O., PALAKKAD.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00054926, PIN - 678592
71 SALINA T.A.
AGED 63 YEARS
AIKKARAKANDATHIL HOUSE, PERUVA P.O., KOTTAYAM
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039044, PIN - 686610
72 CHANDRAN M
AGED 68 YEARS
MANAKKADAVATH HOUSE, KOLOLAMBA P.O., EDAPPAL,
MALAPPURAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00052000, PIN -
679576
73 MOHANAN P.V.
AGED 62 YEARS
PADINJAREKALAYIL, MEVELLOOR, KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00041536, PIN - 686609
74 PHYLIP P.V.
AGED 62 YEARS
MAMPILLIL HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O., VELLOOR,
KOTTAYAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00041721, PIN -
686609
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75 THOMAS K.J.
AGED 64 YEARS
KAVANAYIL HOUSE, MEVELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00037001, PIN - 686609
76 P. J. JOSEPH
AGED 65 YEARS
VALAYIL PUTHENPURA, MEVELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035202, PIN - 686609
77 SUDHAKARAN R.
AGED 63 YEARS
GREESHMAM, PRASANTHI NAGAR - 375, KOTTARAKKARA,
KOLLAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039710, PIN -
691506
78 MOHANAN P.
AGED 68 YEARS
POORNASREE HOUSE, 6, KAIRALI STREET, BYPASS
JUNCTION, MANNUTHY P.O., TRICHUR DIST.
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00076176, PIN - 680651
79 A. BALACHANDRAN
AGED 67 YEARS
AZAKAPADATHU HOUSE, VADAVANOOR P.O., PALAKKAD
DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00056350, PIN - 678504
80 GOPALAKRISHNAN V.
AGED 69 YEARS
VANIL HOUSE, PATHAIKKARA P.O., PERINTALMANNA
(VIA), MALAPPURAM DIST. P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00048962,
PIN - 679322
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81 K.N.RANI,
AGED 61 YEARS
THEKKUMTHARA, MEVELLOR P.O, VELLOOR, VELLOOR,
KOTTAYAM P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00046276, PIN - 686609
82 AJITH KUMAR.G,
AGED 62 YEARS
ERAMATHU AKSHKRAM, CMC/12, CHERTHALA ,
P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00111044, PIN - 688524
83 SUGATHAN.G,
AGED 70 YEARS
KOCHUVILAYIL, UMBERNADU, KALLUMALA P.O,
MAVELIKKARA , P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/63406, PIN - 690110
84 UNION OF INDIA (UOI),
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA,
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT,
NEW DELHI,, PIN - 110001
85 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
KALOOR, ERNAKULAM,, PIN - 682017
86 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
ERANJIPALAM , KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673006
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87 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO),
BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
88 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
KOLLAM, PIN - 691001
89 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE, 2ND AND 3RD
FLOOR, NEAR GOLIBAR MAIDAN, CAMP,
PUNE- (MAHARASHTRA),, PIN - 411001
90 PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, NO-66,
WATER TANK ROAD, NAGERCOIL, TAMILNADU, PIN -
629001
91 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,
MPWM+7M5, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, NGO B COLONY,
TIRUNELVELI, TAMILNADU,, PIN - 627007
92 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1 (PENSION),
EPFO HEAD OFFICE, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND
EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, BHAVISHYA NITHI
BHAVAN, 14- BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI, PIN -
110066
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93 KERALA PAPER PRODUCTS LIMITED
REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,
NEWS PRING NAGAR RD., VELLOOR, KERALA - 686616
R1-R83 BY ADV SHRI.P.N.MOHANAN
R84 BY ADV.SMT.O.M.SHALINA, DSGI
R93 BY ADV.SRI.BENNY THOMAS (SR.)
THIS REVIEW PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 30.07.2025, THE COURT ON 12.09.2025 DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
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ORDER
This review petition is filed against the judgment of this
Court dated 09.12.2024 in W.P(C) No.11288 of 2023. The
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees' Provident
Fund Organisation, Sub Regional Office, Kottayam, the 2nd
respondent in the writ petition, is the review petitioner.
2. The writ petitioners are the retired employees of
Hindustan Newsprint Ltd.(HNL). The said establishment was later
taken over by the Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL), the 11 th
respondent in the writ petition. This Court, by the impugned
judgment, directed the review petitioner to consider Ext. P4 joint
option form submitted by the writ petitioners and other similar
option forms individually submitted by them through the
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employer, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a
period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of the
judgment. It was also made clear that this Court has not
considered the merits of the claim of the writ petitioners and all
their claims were left open.
3. The review petition was filed on 28.01.2025 along with
an application to condone the delay of 19 days in filing the
review petition. The application to condone the delay came up for
consideration on 07.02.2025 and the delay was condoned.
4. In paragraph Nos. 5 and 6 of the review petition, it is
stated as follows:
"5. In so far as the writ petitioners in W.P.(C)
No.11288/2023 are concerned out of the 83
petitioners 12 petitioners retired prior to 01/09/2014
and 71 petitioners retired after 01/09/2014 and
therefore they are governed by separate and
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independent directions in Ext P8 judgment. Ext P4
produced along with the writ petition relates to the
joint option forms submitted by the then employer of
the petitioners vide letter dated 25/07/2019 before
Ext P8 judgment. It is submitted that, by the
amendment para 11(4) was added to the
Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 which provided
that the existing members as on 01/09/2014 who at
the option of the employer and employee had been
contributing on salary exceeding Rs.6,500/- shall
prefer a fresh option and the time granted for
exercising fresh option as per the amendment was
one year from 01/09/2014. Therefore the options
exercised by the writ petitioners vide Ext P4 is
clearly beyond the time limit prescribed in the
scheme.
6. As matters now obtained the Hindustan News
Print Limited has been taken over by Kerala Paper
Products Limited, the 11th respondent in W.P.(C)
No.11288/2023. It is submitted that, the petitioners
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have submitted their online options for verification
and endorsement by the employer in the light of Ext.
P8 judgment but the present employer Kerala Paper
Products Limited has failed to endorse the online
option submitted by the petitioners. The 11 th
respondent in the writ petition has only to validate
the options submitted by the employees and forward
the same to the EPFO portal before the online facility
closes on 31/01/2025. The review petition is
therefore filed in the aforesaid circumstances."
Further, Ground 'D' reads as follows:
"D. The 11th respondent in the writ petition the
Kerala Paper Products Ltd. having taken over
Hindustan News Print Ltd. is to forward the option
forms submitted online by the petitioners pursuant
to the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
There is no other further liability for the 11"
respondent in the writ petition in this matter. All that
the 11th respondent has to do is to forward the joint
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options to the online portal of the EPFO before
31/01/2025, which is the last date for submission of
joint option forms online, so that the applications
can be processed by the EPFO for the petitioners to
avail the benefit of the judgment of the Hon'ble
Supreme Court in the Sunil Kumar's case."
5. The review petitioner does not dispute that Ext. P4 joint
options were received by the Employees Provident Fund
Organization (EPFO) from the HNL., the erstwhile employer of
the writ petitioners. According to the review petitioner, the writ
petitioners have submitted their online option on the basis of Ext.
P8 judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Employees
Provident Fund Organisation and another v. Sunil Kumar
B. and others [2022 SCC Online SC 1521] and is now available
in the portal of KPPL so as to forward to the portal of EPFO for
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processing the same. It is stated that there is no other liability
for the KPPL in the matter and all that KPPL has to do is to
forward the joint options to the online portal of the EPFO before
31.01.2025, which is the last date for submission of joint option
forms online, so that the applications can be processed by the
EPFO for the petitioners to avail the benefit of the judgement in
Sunil Kumar's case (supra). The review petitioner further states
that in a similar writ petition, namely, W.P(C) No.16786 of 2023,
this Court, by judgment dated 25.10.2024, was pleased to direct
the KPPL to endorse the joint option and forward the same to
EPFO observing that the direction will not in any manner affect
the legal issue whether KPPL is the employer of HNL employees
who retired prior to 2021.
6. Heard Sri. N.N. Sugunapalan, the learned senior counsel
for the review petitioner, Sri. P.N. Mohanan, the learned counsel
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for the writ petitioners and Sri. Benny Thomas, the learned
senior counsel for KPPL.
7. The only objection raised by the review petitioner is that
the KPPL, the present employer has not validated the online
options submitted by the writ petitioners and forwarded the
options to the portal of EPFO for processing the same. It is
stated by the review petitioner that there is no other liability for
the KPPL in the matter and all that KPPL has to do is to forward
the joint options to the online portal of the EPFO. It is the case of
the writ petitioners that they along with HNL, their employer had
remitted the Provident Fund contribution on actual salary along
with administrative charges which was accepted by the review
petitioner. As stated, the review petitioner does not dispute that
joint option in physical forms were received by the EPFO from
the HNL. Their case is that those joint option forms cannot be
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now acted upon as the writ petitioners have already submitted
their options online on the basis of the judgement in Sunil
Kumar's case (supra).
8. Unless the employer forwards the option forms after
verification to the online portal of the EPFO, the same cannot be
processed. The non-forwarding of the joint option forms
submitted by the writ petitioners to the portal of EPFO will affect
the right of the writ petitioners to get their options processed by
the EPFO for availing the pensionary benefits guaranteed under
the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995. At the same time, any
direction issued by this Court shall not affect any pending
proceedings or future litigation in which the KPPL is a party. In
the light of the facts narrated in the review petition, I am of the
view that the directions in the impugned judgment will not
workout the relief intended and there are sufficient reasons to
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review the judgment. For the reasons aforesaid and in the light
of the judgment of this Court in W.P(C)No. 16786 of 2023 dated
25.10.2024, now placed before me, I am of the view that the
impugned judgment can be modified with the following
directions:
(i) The KPPL, the 11th respondent in the
writ petition shall endorse and forward the online
options submitted by the writ petitioners to the
online portal of EPFO within one month from
today, and shall have no further liability in doing
so.
(ii) On receipt of the online options, the
review petitioner shall process and finalise the
same within a period of three months therefrom.
(iii) It is made clear that the above direction
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is issued only to enable the review petitioner to
process the online options submitted by the writ
petitioners to avail the benefit of the judgment of
the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Sunil Kumar's
case (supra). This direction will not in any
manner affect the legal issue whether KPPL is the
employer of HNL employees who retired prior to
2021, and the issue whether KPPL has any
liability towards employees like the writ
petitioners who retired from service prior to the
take over of HNL, would depend on and would be
subject to the decision to be taken by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No.31624/2023.
(iv) Since the review petition was filed with
application to condone delay and the application
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itself was brought up for consideration after the
closure of online facility on 31.01.2025, the said
cut off date shall not stand in the way of EPFO
accepting and processing the online options of
the writ petitioners as and when forwarded by
KPPL.
(v) It is made clear that this Court has not
considered the merits of the claim of the writ
petitioners for higher pension.
Accordingly, the review petition is allowed and the
impugned judgment stands modified with the above directions.
Sd/-
MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
JUDGE
SB
2025:KER:67791
APPENDIX
RESPONDENT ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE R1 (a) TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 16.06.2020
OF FINANCE MANAGER
ANNEXURE R1 (b) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.03.2017
OF THE CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER
ANNEXURE R1 (c) TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED
22.11.2006 OF THE ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PF
COMMISSIONER
ANNEXURE R1 (d) TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED
08.11.2013 OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT
ANNEXURE R1 (e) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 22.01.2019
ISSUED BY THE ADDITIONAL CENTRAL
PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
ANNEXURE R1 (f) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 07.02.2019
OF THE ADDITIONAL CENTRAL PF
COMMISSIONER
