M.DHANAMMAL Vs. COMMISSIONER, EPFO

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard.

(2.) Both writ petitions challenge a common impugned order dtd. 4/4/2019 and are founded on nearly identical facts. Consequently, they were clubbed together and a common judgment has been pronounced. The petitioners in both writ petitions are widows of their respective husbands, who were beedi workers employed under different beedi contractors, each of whom is arrayed as the fifth respondent herein.

(3.) Following the demise of their husbands, the petitioners submitted applications seeking a family pension under the Employees' Provident Fund Act. These applications, along with those of two others, were rejected by the second respondent by way of a common order. As regards the two petitioners, the order sets out the following particulars and provides the reasons for rejection: