M/S. Gts Facility Management Services Pvt Ltd., v. Regional Pf Commisisoner -I

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 24-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.Nos.16590 & 16593 of 2026 M/s. GTS Facility Management Services Pvt Ltd., Rep. By Its Regional Head, Shri, M. Yoganandam, Plot No.5, Brindavan Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600 087 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Regional PF Commissioner -I Regional PF Office, 37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai-600 014

2. The Recovery Officer Regional PF Office, 37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai-600 014 ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records on the files of the 1st Respondent and to quash the impugned order No.TN/CHN/-I/CC-I(PDC)/D-25/1750444/REGL/2025 dated 22.07.2025 Diary No.697/2024 U/s.14-B.

For Petitioner(s):

Ms.G.Babu Rajendran For Respondent(s):

Mr.P.K.Panner Selvam for EPF

ORDER

The impugned order passed by the first respondent under Section 14-B in TN/CHN/-I/CC-I(PDC)/D-25/1750444/REGL/2025 dated 22.07.2025, is put under challenge in the present Writ Petition.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the present Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner is a registered firm under the provisions of the Private Limited Company, which engaged in the business of providing security and housekeeping services and also registered under the Employees Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and regularly complying with the provisions of the Act. In order to harass the petitioner, the first respondent has passed the impugned order of demand dated 22.07.2025 towards the provident fund damages charges for the period from 07.2018 to 02.2024 claiming a sum of Rs.27,80,879/- and based on the order of

the first respondent, the second respondent is initiating action to recover the said amount and aggrieved over the same, the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not disputed the impugned order of the first respondent dated 22.07.2025, however seeks permission to pay the demanded amount in instalments and thus, prayed for appropriate orders.

5. On a bare perusal, it is seen that the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition against the order passed by the first respondent under Section 14 B of the Employees Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 on 22.07.2025, despite appeal remedy is available to him. However, the petitioner is now ready to pay the demanded amount of the impugned order dated 22.07.2025 in instalments.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also taking note of the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court directs the petitioner to pay the amount demanded by the first respondent through the impugned order dated 22.07.2025 in 20 instalments and also directed to pay the first instalment on or before 10.05.2026 and the remaining instalments on or before 10th of every month. On receipt of the payment of the first instalment from the petitioner, the first respondent shall defreeze the

petitioner's account and it is also made clear that if any default on the petitioner in payment of the remaining instalments as agreed by him, then the respondents are at liberty to freeze the account of the petitioner as per the provisions of the Employees Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

7. With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

24-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP

To

1. The Regional PF Commissioner -I Regional PF Office, 37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai-600 014

2. The Recovery Officer Regional PF Office, 37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai-600 014

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

DP 24-04-2026