The EPFO Today (Feb 17) faced severe criticism from the CJI (Chief Justice of India) Sanjiv Khanna for repeated delays, lack of legal preparation, and procedural mistakes, highlighting serious issues in handling their case.
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NEW DELHI: The case we’re discussing is Diary No. 54491-2024, where the IX Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is the petitioner, and Vineet Kumar Chowdhary along with another party are the respondents in the Supreme Court of India.
The EPFO has submitted several interim applications (IAs), including IA No. 31395/2025, which asks for a delay in filing, IA No. 31396/2025, which requests the delay in refiling and fixing some defects, and IA No. 31394/2025, which seeks exemption from filing altogether.
During the hearing, the EPFO’s counsel made the following statement:
“I’m led by Attorney General. He’s not available this week. My lords, I’m seeking short accommodation.”
In response, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, sharply replied:
“What is there in this matter? What is there? Absolutely nothing.”
The EPFO lawyer tried to explain the issue further:
“My lords, the issue is that the High Court in a 32 petition has given a question of law-finding.”
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However, the Chief Justice did not seem satisfied and responded with:
“What 32 petition? 2 to 6 petition. And your petition is barred by… you could not have filed appeal. It’s barred by limitation. And the finding that section 14 does not apply. This is wrong. Section 14 is clearly applicable. You want the attorney general to argue? There’s hardly anything in it. Absolutely nothing in it.”
Frustrated with the lack of preparation from the EPFO’s lawyer, the CJI expressed strong disapproval:
“It’s high time you put your house in order. It’s your fault. You don’t even have, you don’t get proper legal advice. You don’t file a piece within time. And you don’t follow the monitor. because you believe that you are above all. Nothing can, no, no court can ever disturb you. No court order matters to you. No legal provision matters. Only thing is because it’s employees’ provident fund.
“And in view of the judgment of this court, nobody is going to ever question your authority and the power and also the quantum you demand. That’s one done. If you’re not going to follow the law, then you’ll get a, you’ll, you’ll lose in the courts. And that’s what exactly has happened. You find the repetition knowing fully well that your appeal is barred by limitation.”
-CJI Concluded.
This case highlights some of the major problems the EPFO faces in the legal process, such as delays in filing and failure to follow necessary regulations. Even though the EPFO tried to seek relief, the court showed no patience for the procedural delays and mistakes in handling the case.
The Chief Justice’s comments clearly demonstrate the court’s frustration with the EPFO’s failure to follow basic legal procedures, especially when dealing with statutory bodies like the EPFO.
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