M/s Vaghamon Tea Estates vs Employees Provident Fund Organisation

P.V.Kunhikrishnan, J

The writ petition is filed with the following reliefs:

“i. Issue a writ of certiorari or such other appropriate writ, order or direction quashing Exhibit P3 order dated 07.09.2022 issued by the 2nd Respondent.

ii. issue a writ of mandamus or such other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the 1st and 2nd Respondents to permit the Petitioner to pay balance amounts due under Exhibit P3 order dated 07.09.2022 in 15 installments;

iii) issue a writ of mandamus or such other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the 1st and 2nd Respondents to permit the Petitioner to operate its account with the 3rd Respondent bank.”

When this writ petition is came up for consideration, the counsel for the petitioner submits that he is limiting his prayer for clearing balance amount due as per Ext.P3 within fifteen(15) equal monthly installments.

Heard learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 1 and 2 and I also heard the learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent.

After hearing both sides, I think the prayer in this writ petition can be allowed. Petitioner is limiting his prayer for paying the amount due in installments. Therefore the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

The petitioner is allowed to pay the balance amount due as per Ext.P3 in fifteen(15) equal monthly installments starting from 01.11.2022 onwards.

If there is any default of installments the respondents are free to take appropriate steps in accordance with law.

The respondent Nos.1 and 2 will defreeze the account of the petitioner with the 3rd respondent forthwith.