← Library
Madras High CourtWP/10390/2026disposed of with direction

Igene Media Solutions Private Ltd v. Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

2026-03-23Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI AND WMP NO. 11845 OF 2026 Igene Media Solutions Private Ltd Rep by its Director Shri.Dhanapal No.17, K.K.Salai, Saligramam Chennai-600 093 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident fund organization Regional office, Royapettah Chennai-600 014

2. The Recovery officer Employees Provident fund organisation Regional office, Royapettah chennai-600 014

3. The Branch Manager Kotak Mahindra Bank No.337, Arcot Road Kodambakkam, Chennai-600 024

4. The Branch Manager ICICI Bank No.G-11, 1st Main Road Ambattur chennai-600 058 ..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus to permit the petitioner to remit the amount demanded by way of damages in terms of proceedings number TN/RO/CHN-I/CC/I/TNMAS1812677000/Div.25/PDC/2023-24 and Diary No.366/2024 dated 18.6.2024 in 30 equated monthly instalments For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Haroon Ai Rashed for Mr.G.Babu Rajendran For Respondent(s):

Mr.K.Venkatesan for R1 and R2 Mr.C.Mohan for Mr.A. Rexy Jospehine Mary for M/s.King and Patridge Order This writ petition is filed by the petitioner to permit them to remit the amount demanded by way of damages, in terms of proceedings dated 18.6.2024, in 30 equated monthly instalments.

2. The petitioner is a firm registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, engaged in the business of Media Solutions and also registered under the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. While so, the petitioner was issued with a notice for inspection under Section 7A of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, alleging that the petitioner had defaulted in complying with Section 6 of the Act. In pursuance of the said inspection notice, the respondent has initiated proceedings under Section 7 A of the Act and thereby the 1st respondent has passed the order dated 18.06.2024, demanded a sum of Rs.24,44,897/- towards

the provident fund damages charges for the period 04/2019 to 03/2024. Challenging the said impugned order, the petitioner has filed an appeal with delay, before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal Cum Labour Court, Chennai along with an application for stay. However, since the said Appeal has been filed beyond a period of 120 days stipulated in terms of Rule, the appellant has lost its right of appeal and hence, the petitioner is before this Court to permit them to remit the amount demanded by way of damages in terms of equated monthly instalments.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner may be permitted to remit the amount demanded by way of damages vide impugned order dated 18.06.2024 in 20 instalments.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has no objection for such an order being passed by this Court.

5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

6. In view of the limited request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, permits the petitioner to pay the 14B damages in 20 equated monthly instalments. The

first instalment shall be paid on 07.04.2026, followed by subsequent monthly instalments. In the event of any default in payment of the monthly instalments, the respondents are at liberty to recover the amount from the petitioner in the manner known to law.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

23-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SK To

1. Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident fund organization Regional office, Royapettah Chennai-600 014.

2. The Recovery officer Employees Provident fund organisation Regional office, Royapettah chennai-600 014

3. The Branch Manager Kotak Mahindra Bank No.337, Arcot Road Kodambakkam, Chennai-600 024.

4. The Branch Manager ICICI Bank No.G-11, 1st Main Road Ambattur chennai-600 058

M.DHANDAPANI J.

sk AND WMP NO. 11845 OF 2026 23-03-2026