M/S. Vasu Chemicals v. The Employees Provident Fund Appellant Tribunal,

O R D E R This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the Employees' Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal in E.P.F.A.No.81 of 2018 dated

02.02.2026.

¶2Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents.

¶3Since no adverse order is going to be passed against respondent Nos.5 to 8, notice to them is dispensed with.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner had challenged the order passed by the competent authority imposing damages under Section 14B of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, by filing an appeal before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court in E.P.F.A.No.81 of 2018. The said appeal came to be disposed of by order dated 02.02.2026. The present Writ Petition has been filed challenging the said order.

¶5The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would further submit that, without going into the merits of the impugned order, the petitioner may be permitted to avail the benefit of the Vishwas Scheme, 2026, for amicable settlement of the dispute relating to damages imposed under Section 14B of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, or the corresponding provision under Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.

¶6In view of the submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant liberty to the petitioner to approach the competent authority under the Vishwas Scheme, 2026, and avail the benefit of the said Scheme, subject to the petitioner satisfying all the eligibility conditions prescribed therein.

¶7Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the impugned order, this Writ Petition is disposed of, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the competent authority under the Vishwas Scheme, 2026, and work out his remedy in accordance with law. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

07.08.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes TSG To

1.The Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal, (Central Government Appellate Tribunal), Chennai.

2.The Assistant P.F. Commissioner, Employee Provident Fund Organization, Regional Office, 1, Lady Doak College Road, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, Chokikulam, Madurai-625 002. M.DHANDAPANI

,J.

TSG DATED : 07.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 07.08.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.(MD).No.16962 of 2026 M/s.Vasu Chemical, 15/1A, Vallanthapuram, Avaniyapuram, Madurai-625 012. ... Petitioner(s) vs. 1.The Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal, (Central Government Appellate Tribunal), Chennai. 2.The Assistant P.F. Commissioner, Employee Provident Fund Organization, Regional Office, 1, Lady Doak College Road, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, Chokikulam, Madurai-625 002. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to quash the order of the EPF Appellant Tribunal in EPFA No.81 of 2018 dated 02.02.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam For R-1 to R-4 : Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, Standing Counsel