Petitioner is allowed to remit the total amount towards the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in ten equal installments and his bank account should be made operational : High Court of Kerala
Petitioner is allowed to remit the total amount towards the EPF in ten equal monthly installments commencing from 10.04.2022 as his company is facing financial crisis and he cannot make the total payment at once was upheld by High Court of Kerala though the learned bench led by HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN in the case of M/S.FOREST INDUSTRIES (TRAVANCORE) LTD. vs THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER (WP(C) NO. 6574 OF 2022) on 15th March, 2022.
Brief Facts of the case are that the petitioner is a public undertaking under the Government of Kerala. The first respondent has issued Ext.P1 notice under section 7A of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 directing the petitioner to remit an amount of Rs.26,46,911/- towards EPF contribution. Since the petitioner defaulted payment of the said amount, proceedings under sections 8B to 8G of the Act was initiated. And the second respondent issued Ext.P2 by which the bank account of the petitioner has been frozen. According to the petitioner, due to the financial crisis faced by the company, it is not in a position to pay the amount covered by Ext.P1, in lumpsum.
Learned counsel for petitioner states that his prayer is for a direction for payment of the amount covered in installments. This Court, by order dated 28.02.2022, directed the petitioner to deposit an amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs to show the bona fides of the petitioner. The learned counsel for the petitioner as well the learned standing counsel for the Bank submits that the petitioner has deposited an amount of Rs.2,78,926/- pursuant to order dated 28.02.2022.
In the view of facts and circumstances the court decided that interest of justice will be met if the petitioner is permitted to pay the balance amount due under Ext.P1 in ten equal monthly installments commencing from 10.04.2022. It is ordered accordingly. Since the petitioner has already paid the amount directed to be paid by this Court as per order dated 28.02.2022, the petitioner shall be permitted to operate the bank account referred to in Ext.P2. In case the petitioner defaults payment of any of the installments as aforesaid, the first respondent will be entitled to recover the entire amount due from the petitioner.
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Judgment reviewed by – Amit Singh