Nikolas Karagiannidis v. Union of India & Ors

O R D E R %

13.11.2025

¶1This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

¶2The present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks the following prayers: - "a. Quash the impugned Rejection Order dated 20.11.2024 passed by the Respondent No. 4/Assistant P.F. Commissioner, Bandra (East), Mumbai; and/or b. Issue writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ against the Respondents directing for release of Rs. 1,46,56,450/- (Rupees One Crore Forty-Six Lacs Fifty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Rupees Only) as on 31.03.2025 lying in the provident fund account of the Petitioner at the earliest; and/or c. Issue writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ against the Respondent No. 4 directing to decide the Petitioner's representation dated 03.04.2025; and d. Any such order / further order(s) which this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. AND FOR THIS ACT OF KINDNESS THE PETITIONER AS IN DUTY BOUND SHALL EVER PRAY."

¶3Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. latter had worked for Turner Project Management India Pvt. Ltd. at the position of Construction Manager (Level: CN4) from October, 2014 till March, 2024. It is submitted that the petitioner was working in India for about 10 years and after completing his tenure, he re-located to Abu Dhabi, UAE. The petitioner on account of leaving his Indian employer from March, 2024 and non-receipt of wages for more than 2 months, applied for partial withdrawal of PF advance on 22.08.2024, in terms of para 69 of Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the scheme formulated thereunder. On 22.08.2024, the petitioner submitted a claim with EPFO bearing Grievance Registration no. BANIV/E/2024/42049 for advance of provident fund at UAN e-seva portal on account of non-receipt of wages for more than 2 months.

¶4On 20.11.2024, the petitioner's claim was rejected by respondent no.4/Assistant P.F. Commissioner for the reasons stated "Not Eligible-Member Account Already Closed."

¶5Aggrieved with the aforesaid order, the petitioner sent a representation dated 03.04.2025 to respondent no.3, i.e., Regional P.F. Commissioner (Gr. I), however, no response had been received from the said respondent.

¶6In view of the submissions made above, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of this petition with direction to Regional P.F. Commissioner (Gr. I), Regional Office, Mumbai (Powai), 341, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, Bandra

(East), Mumbai to dispose of the representation dated 03.04.2025 of the petitioner within a period of three weeks with due intimation to the latter.

¶7The petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶8Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.

¶9Order be communicated to Regional P.F. Commissioner (Gr. I), Regional Office, Mumbai (Powai), 341, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, Bandra

(East), Mumbai, for necessary information and compliance.

AMIT SHARMA, J NOVEMBER 13, 2025/nk/db

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

* IN THEHIGHCOURTOF DELHIATNEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 17205/2025 NIKOLAS KARAGIANNIDIS .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Shivank Pratap Singh, Ms. Priya Singh & Mr. Samyak Jain, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Shubhra Parashar, SPc with Ms. Nasreen Khatoon, Advds. For UOI. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT SHARMA