UPSHOT UTILITY SERVICES Vs. THE RECOVERY OFFICER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to revoke the order of attachment dtd. 25/11/2025 and the notice sent to respondents 2 to 11 on various dates and permit the petitioner to pay the amount of Rs.2,82,96,972.00 in 72 monthly installments in terms of the petitioner's letter dtd. 18/1/2026.

(2.) The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that due to huge financial crises, the petitioner could not make the EPF contribution and for non payment of EPF contribution, the EPF Authority passed order under Sec. 7A of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 [hereinafter referred to as 'Act'] and since the said amount was not paid, the EPF Authority passed order under Ss. 14B and 7Q of the Act and passed the impugned attachment order.

(3.) The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the impugned order specify that an amount of Rs.2,82,96,972.00 is to be recovered from the petitioner and further submitted that this Court may, without going into the merits of the case, permit the petitioner to remit the entire amount of Rs.2,82,96,972.00 in 30 equal monthly installments and further prayed that this Court may direct the respondents to revoke/ release the Bank guarantee after payment of the first installment, so as to enable the petitioner to run his business for remitting the other installments.