Vijayan K.R., v. Sunil Bharathwal
Case brief
What is this about?
This judgment consolidated contempt proceedings against the EPFO Commissioners for failing to implement a High Court judgment directing employees to exercise an option under the Employees Pension Scheme. The court held that while the Supreme Court's scrutiny of the fund's financial health prevented immediate enforcement of the joint contribution direction for superannuated employees, the Commissioners had failed to fulfill their statutory duty to pay pensions to those who already exercised this option. Consequently, the court dismissed the petitioners' prayer for punishment regarding non-compliance with future directions but held the respondents in civil contempt for ignoring past orders to pay dues granted to eligible employees.
What did the court decide?
Held that failure to pay pending pensions constitutes civil contempt. However, no punishment for contempt was awarded regarding the new direction of retrospective contributions, granted six months time to comply with prior orders to pay dues to eligible beneficiaries.