#EPFO

Karnataka High Court ruled that the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) higher pension benefits, once sanctioned and paid, cannot be withdrawn by EPFO. The judgment reaffirms the R.C. Gupta precedent, limiting the impact of the Sunil Kumar B. ruling on already disbursed benefits. Affected retirees and EPFO officials must note the court's strict stance on vested pension rights.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that pensioners retiring before 1 September 2014 are ineligible for EPFO’s enhanced pension under the Sunil Kumar B. precedent, but must be refunded voluntary deposits made in reliance on earlier EPFO communications. The judgment underscores equitable estoppel, mandating restitution for pensioners who acted on official representations.