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Madras High Court/11487/2026disposed of with direction

Pioneer Spinners v. The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

2026-03-25Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Pioneer Spinners Kamudakudi, Ramanathapuram - 623707.

Rep by it General Manager Mr.Sivasamraj.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident Fund Organisation Sub Regional Office No.1, LDC Road, Chokkikulam Madurai-625002.

..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal, Chennai in EPFA No.306 of 2025 and quash its order dated 16.12.2025 and restore the appeal. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.Rajesh for M/s.T.S.Gopalan And Co.

For Respondent:

Mr.P.K.Panneer Selvam

ORDER

This petition has been filed challenging the impugned order dated 16.12.2025 passed by the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court,, Chennai in EPFA No.306 of 2025.

2.The case of the petitioner is that the respondent levied damages u/s.14B of the EPF & MP Act, to the tune of Rs.96,05,304/- on the petitioner spinning mill, vide his order dated 22.10.2024. Challenging the said order, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court, Chennai, in EPFA No.306 of 2025. On 30.10.2025, the Tribunal passed a conditional interim stay directing the petitioner to deposit 15% of the assessed amount of Rs.96,05,304/- within four weeks as a precondition to entertain the Appeal on merits. However, the petitioner was unable to deposit the said amount, and hence, the appeal was dismissed on 16.12.2025, for non compliance of the order dated 30.10.2025. Challenging the same, the present writ petition has been filed.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that due to financial constraints, the petitioner mill was unable to deposit the pre-deposit amount as per the order of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court, Chennai, dated 30.10.2025. However, the petitioner is now ready to deposit 15% of the assessed amount as ordered by the Tribunal within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and upon such deposit, the Tribunal may be directed to restore the appeal and dispose of the same in the manner known to law.

4.In view of the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is inclined to set aside the impugned order dated 16.12.2025, on condition that the petitioner shall deposit 15% of the assessed amount of Rs.96,05,304/- before the respondent herein, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and produce the receipt before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court, Chennai. Upon receipt of the same, the Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court, Chennai is directed to restore the appeal in EPFA No.306 of 2025 on its file and dispose of the same within a period of twelve weeks thereafter.

5.With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

25-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma To 1.The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Employees Provident Fund Organisation Sub Regional Office No.1, LDC Road, Chokkikulam Madurai-625002.

2.The Central Government Industrial Tribunal cum Labour Court, Chennai.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

Uma 25-03-2026