Sree Aanchaneya Industries v. The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner -Ii
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 17.06.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No.21258 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.24010 of 2025 Sree Aanchaneya Industries Shed No.31, SIDCO Industrial Estate, Kakkalur, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Tiruvallur 602003, Rep. By Its Proprietor K. Srinivasan.
... Petitioner Vs.
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner -II Regional Office, Ambattur, No.R-40, A-1, TNHB Shopping Cum-Office Complex, Muggapair Road, Mugappair East, Chennai-600 037.
... Respondents Prayer :- Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to quash order bearing Ref.TN/RO/AMB/PDC/204/68224/000/LEVY ORDER /14B/2024, dated 19.06.2024 passed by the Respondent under Section 14B of the 1/5
Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, directing the petitioner to pay a sum of Rs.17,87,239/- in words is (Rupees Seventeen lakh eighty seven thousand tow hundred thirty nine only) as damages for the period 01/2016 to 09/2022 as interest under Section 14B of the EPF and MP Act, 1952. For Petitioner : M/s.C.Manohar Gupta For Respondent : M/s.K.Venkatesan, Standing Counsel for Sole respondent.
O R D E R
The above Writ Petition is filed for the following reliefs:- "to quash order bearing Ref.TN/RO/AMB/PDC/204/68224/000/LEVY
ORDER
/14B/2024, dated 19.06.2024 passed by the Respondent under Section 14B of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, directing the petitioner to pay a sum of Rs.17,87,239/- in words is (Rupees Seventeen lakh eighty seven thousand tow hundred thirty nine only) as damages for the period 01/2016 to 09/2022 as interest under Section 14B of the EPF and MP Act, 1952."
2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned 2/5
counsel for the petitioner would submit that their only request would be that they be permitted to pay the above sum in installments and they had also undertaken to clear the amount due within 15 equated monthly installments.
3. Though the learned counsel for the respondent would vehemently oppose the same, however taking note of the fact that the inability of the petitioner to remit the dues on time was on account of the covid pandemic which had a cascading effect on the financial situation of the petitioner company, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the petitioner to pay the amount due under the impugned order in 15 equated monthly installments starting from July 2025. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 17.06.2025 (shr) Index : Yes/No Speaking Order: Yes/No To 3/5
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner -II Regional Office, Ambattur, No.R-40, A-1, TNHB Shopping Cum-Office Complex, Muggapair Road, Mugappair East, Chennai-600 037.
P.T. ASHA . J., 4/5
(shr) W.P.No.21258 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.24010 of 2025 17.06.2025 (2/2) 5/5