Date of reserved for orders : --- Date of pronouncement : 01.09.2026 Date of uploading : 01.09.2026 APHC010397542026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] TUESDAY, THE 1st DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 21456/2026 Between: 1. VENUM SURYA NARAYANA, S/O SATYANARYANA AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 2. REK MOHAN,, AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 3. AREY LAKSHMANA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC.RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 4. CHAPPIDI PRASADA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 5. SK MAHABOOB SUBHANI, AGED ABOUT 67YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 6. PIDUGU VEERABHADRA RAO, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 2 7. D.S BABU, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 8. MALLEMADUGULA SURYA NARAYANA PRABHAKAR, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 9. KOLIA VENKATA NAGESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC.RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 10. DAKEY SATYANARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 11. P.J. ELISHA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 12. MOKANA KANAKA RATHNAM, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 13. KOTHAPALLI VEERA RAGHAVULU, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 14. MEDISETTY TATAYYA,, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC.RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 15. PILLA NARAYANA SURYANARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 3 16. P.S RAO, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 17. YAJJALA DURGA RAO, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 18. NUNNA VEERA VENKATA RAMANA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 19. DANGETI VENKATA RAMANA, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 20. GULLA LUTHER BABU, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 21. VEMPALLI VENKATESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 22. SESETTI SUBBA RAO, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 23. NARSIPUDI RANGA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 4 24. KASIREDDY DURGA PRASAD, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 25. JANGA NIRANJANA KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 26. YELURI VEERA VENKATA SATYANARAYANA VENKATESWARLU, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVERLIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 27. S.R KRISHNA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 28. V.V GOPAL, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 29. MOTURI VENKATA SATYA NARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 30. KADAMANCHALI JOHN BABU, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 31. MULAGALETI SESHAYYA SURAYYA, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 5 32. PALISETTY GANGA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 33. KALAGALA VENKATA KRISHNA RAO, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 34. VINJAMURI VENUGOPALA SARMA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 35. VANGLAPUDI SUDARSHAN RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 36. KADIYALA YEDUKONDALU, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 37. KONIMILLI SATYANARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 38. SHAIK ABDULA SAHEB, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 39. ALLADI RAMA CHANDRA RAO, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 6 40. DEVAPU KOTESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 41. KOKALA SURYA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 42. A.R LAI, AGED ABOUT 70 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 43. KOPISETTI RAMBABU, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 44. DAKAMARRI PENTA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 45. SUNUGULA SEBASTIN RAJU, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 46. SALADI RAMA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 47. KANTHASPURTHI SRINIVASA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 7 48. DHADALA JOGI RAJU, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 49. ANAKAPALLI GANAPATHI, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 50. GUDURI BHANOJI RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 51. GUBBALA SATHYANARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 52. KAVITAPU SATHYANARAYNA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 53. K.N.V. P SUBRAMANYAM, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 54. KARRI MAHA LAKSHMI, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 55. M.E SAMUAL ASEERVADAM, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 8 56. MEHRAJ ALI BAIG, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 57. METIA VERRIYA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 58. P.A MARYANA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 59. MUNGAMURI RAJU, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 60. ANISINGARAJU MALLAPA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 61. PULAPAKURA SIVA KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 62. CHILUKURI VENKATESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 63. BEERA BABU RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 9 64. BANDI SRINIVASA RAO, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 65. MASAMSETTY VARADA KRISHNA RAO, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 66. VARA GOPALA KRISHNA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 67. CHEKKA SATYANARAYANA MURTHY, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 68. AMBATI BABJI, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVERLIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 69. DANGUDUBIYYAM SUBBA RAO, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVERLIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 70. VENTAPALLI RAJA RAO, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 71. MUMIDI SURYA PRAKASA RAO, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 10 72. ALLAPALLI VENKANNA,. MUTYAM, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 73. BALIVADA KRISHNA RAO, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVERLIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 74. MATHI MOHANA RAO, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 75. BODAPATI SAI PRASAD,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 76. RAPAKA TRIMURTHULU,, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 77. JANIPALLI ASEERVADAM,, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 78. KARUKU RAMABABU,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 79. CHELLABOYINA NAGA SATHYANARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 11 80. GUTTULA JANAKI RAMAYYA,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 81. K.KRAO,, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 82. SAMAPARTHI VENKATESWARA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 83. KOMARA SURYANARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 84. YADIA ANNAVARAM,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 85. KUNCHE VARAHALA RAJU,, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 86. CHILUKOTI POSAYYA,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 87. KADELLI VENKATA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 12 88. PRASADULA RAMANA,, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 89. VANAPALLI APPA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 90. PAVADA VENKATA RAMANA,, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 91. NULU CHINNODU, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 92. SAKINALA VENKATA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 93. SHAIK KARIM JANI,, AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 94. NOKKU YESU,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 95. YEKKISARA BASKARA CHARYULU,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVERLIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 13 96. VANUM BURAYYA,, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 97. MAMIDISETTI SATYANARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 98. SRIMURAVA JAYA SUNDAR,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 99. GOLUGURI VENKATA KRISHNA REDDY,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 100. KONDETI SRINIVASA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWANAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 101. P. RAMA VEERA VENKATA SATYA,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 102. RUDRA RAJU RAMARAJU,, AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 103. VEGI PANDU RANGA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 14 104. KOVVURI ATCHUTA RAMA RAO, , S/O SITA RAMAYYA, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 105. S.V.R.N MURTHY,, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 106. BALIMI SURYA PRABHAKARA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 107. NOONE KALIKI MURTHY, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 108. . PUSPA RAJU INAVALLI, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCCRETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 109. SANDI PEDDI RAJU, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 110. SATYAM VENKATA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 111. CHITTI RAJU KANDIKATTA, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 15 112. A. SURYA SATYA SRINIVAS, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 113. B. NAGESH PRASADH,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 114. METLA VENKATESWARA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 115. NEREDUMILLI RAMABABU,, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A 116. GUTTHULA SATYANARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 117. BOKKA SATYA NARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCCRETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 118. A.S BASKAR RAO, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAMRAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 119. MEKALA VENKATA SRINIVASA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 16 120. KAMBHAMPATIVENKATA RAO,, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 121. KOCHERLAKOTA VENKATESWARLU,, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 122. PAMMI VENKATESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 123. MAMIDIPUDI SUBRAHMANYAM,, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 124. GUTHULA SATYANARAYANA,, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, OCC.RETD. EMPLOYEE, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 125. KOMARA DURGA,, OCC. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AP 126. KADALI VENKATA SATYANARAYANA,, OCC. RETD. EMPLOYEE HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, DOWLESWARAM, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, V.L PURAM, MORAMPUDI JUNCTION, . RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM. PIN CODE.533103 17 2. THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES' PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, V.L PURAM, MORAMPUDI JUNCTION, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM. PIN CODE.533103 3. HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY DOWLAISWARAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, DHAVALESWARAM, DOWLAISWARAM, ANDHRA PRADESH. 533124 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in not considering and disposing of the representation submitted by the petitioners seeking correction of records and acceptance of joint option for Higher Pension and if necessary initiation of enquiry under Section 7A of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and permission to exercise the Joint Option for Higher Pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme, as illegal, arbitrary, violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, and consequently direct the competent authority of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation to consider and dispose of the said representation, after affording an opportunity of hearing to all concerned parties, within a time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court. IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the competent authority of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation to consider and dispose of the petitioners' pending representation within a time to be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners and the employer pending disposal of the above Writ Petition. 18 Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. ARDITI VENKATA NAGA YASWANTH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. T BALAJI(SC FOR EPFO) 2. T BALAJI The Court made the following: Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No 19 HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.21456 of 2026 ORDER: 1. The present Writ Petition is filed aggrieved by the inaction of Respondent No.2 in considering the representation of the Petitioners dated 19.03.2026 seeking for correction of records and acceptance of joint option for Higher Pension and to declare the same as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The Petitioners are the former employees of Respondent No.3 and they had retired from their services. It is submitted that during the period covering December, 2016 and January to March, 2017, the employer deducted provident fund contributions from the wages of the Petitioners. However, the employer failed to forward the requisite statutory records relating to the Petitioners before the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization for the aforesaid period. 3. It is submitted that on account of the omission on the part of the employer in forwarding the statutory records, the contributions relating to the Petitioners were not properly reflected in the records maintained by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization and the applications of the Petitioner for exercising joint option under the Higher Pension Scheme were rejected on the ground of absence of 20 relevant contribution details in the official records. It is stated that the Petitioners cannot be made to suffer for the lapses or omission committed by the employer. 4. It is stated that these facts came to the knowledge of Petitioners in PLC.No.96 of 2025, wherein Respondent No.3 submitted his explanation stating that the provident fund contributions had been regularly made in respect of its employees. As the ownership of the factory had changed during the year 2019-20, the earlier records would be available only with the office of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization. 5. Therefore, the Petitioners made a representation on 19.03.2026 for initiation of proceedings under Section 7-A of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 for determination of the contributions relating to the Petitioners and for consequential actions. 6. Sri T. Balaji, learned Standing Counsel for Employees’ Provident Fund Organization appearing for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 would submit that the representation of the Petitioners will be considered and appropriate decision will be communicated to the Petitioners. 21 7. Considering the submissions, the Writ Petition is disposed of, with the following directions; i) The Respondents shall examine the representation dated 19.03.2026 submitted by the Petitioners and take appropriate decision and communicate the same to the Petitioners within a period of three (3) months thereof; ii) No order as to costs. 8. As a sequel, pending applications, if any, shall stand closed. __________________ NYAPATHY VIJAY, J Date: 01.09.2026 IS 22 HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.21456 of 2026 Date: 01.09.2026 IS