APHC010080712017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3327]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY, THE TWELFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 16003/2017 Between:

1. GREATER VISAKHAPATNAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION,, REP.BY ITS ADDL. COMMISSIONER, SRI S. S. VARMA R/O VISAKHAPATNAM.

...PETITIONER AND

1. THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR &

EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. CENTRAL SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI.

2. ASSISTANT P F COMMISSIONER, EPFO SRO NAD POST VISAKHAPATNAM.

...RESPONDENT(S):

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. KOKA SATYANARAYANA RAO Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. T BALAJI(SC FOR EPFO)

2. DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY Writ Petition No.16003 of 2017

Order:

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayer;

“….pleased to issue an Order, direction or a Writ or more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring that the impugned orders No AP/VP/71636/PD Cell/CC-51/2016/3737, dated: 09.11.2016 passed under section 14B & 7Q of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1952 (the Act) by the 2nd Respondent as arbitrary, illegal, without jurisdiction, contrary to principles of natural justice, unenforceable in law the same and pass ….”

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. Perused the record.

3. Learned Standing Counsel for the respondents submits that the order challenged in the Writ Petition is passed by the concerned authority in a proceedings initiated under Sections 14B & 7Q of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1952 (the Act), which is an appealable order before the Appellate Authority under Section 7-I of the Act.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Court may pass appropriate orders.

5. Considering the submissions made, the present Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the petitioner to prefer an appeal as contemplated under Section 7-I of the Act, before the Appellate Authority within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, by depositing 50% of the amount demanded in the order dated 09.11.2016 passed in the proceedings initiated under Section 14B of the Act. On such submission of appeal by paying 50% of the demanded amount by the petitioner, the Appellate Authority shall receive and dispose of the same as expeditiously as possible in accordance with law.

There shall be no order as to costs of the writ petition.

As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed.

_________________________

K. SREENIVASA REDDY, J.

Date:12.02.2026 Asr HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY Writ Petition No.16003 of 2017 Date:12.02.2026 Asr