The Principal Secretary/ Commissioner v. The Regional P.F. Commissioner-1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 11.09.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL and C.M.P.No.22049 of 2025 The Principal Secretary / Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation Ripon Building, Chennai 600 003 ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional P.F.Commissioner - 1 Regional Office, Chennai North Employees Provident Fund Organisation Ministry of Labour and Employment Govt. of India, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan No.37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai 600 014 2.The State Bank of India Park Town Branch Chennai ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letter Patent, praying to set aside the order of the learned Judge, passed in W.P.No.1628 of 2023 dated 24.06.2025.

For Appellant : Mr.M.Suresh Kumar Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mrs.P.T.Ramadevi For Respondents : Mr.R.Vishnu - R1

JUDGMENT

M.S.RAMESH, J.

R.SAKTHIVEL, J.

As against the order passed under Section 7A of the Employee's Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act), dated 11.08.2022, the appellant had preferred a Review Application on 13.12.2022, under Section 7B of EPF Act. This application was rejected on 15.12.2022, as against which the appellant had preferred a Writ Petition in W.P.No.1628 of 2023. Learned Single Judge, vide order dated 24.06.2025, had dismissed the Writ Petition on the sole ground that the Review was preferred after the limitation period of 45 days as provided under Clause 79(A) of the EPF Scheme as well as beyond the limitation period of 120 days under Rule 7 of the Appellate Tribunal Procedure Rules, 1997.

2. Admittedly, the appellant has not challenged the original order passed under Section 7A of the Act, either by way of review within 45 days or by way of an appeal within 120 days. While that being so, we do not find any infirmity in the findings of the Writ Court, rejecting the writ petition on the ground of limitation.

3.This Writ Appeal stands dismissed accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [M.S.R, J.] [R.S.V, J.] 11.09.2025 kas Index: Yes / No Speaking / Non Speaking To.

1.The Regional P.F.Commissioner - 1 Regional Office, Chennai North Employees Provident Fund Organisation Ministry of Labour and Employment Govt. of India, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan No.37, Royapettah High Road, Chennai 600 014 M.S.RAMESH, J.

R.SAKTHIVEL, J.

kas 2.The Branch Manager State Bank of India Park Town Branch Chennai and C.M.P.No.22049 of 2025 11.09.2025