Whether Penalty for Delayed Provident Fund Deposit Under EPF Act Is Mandatory Referred to Larger Bench: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has referred to a larger Bench the question of whether authorities have discretion under Section 14B of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 to waive or not impose penalty for delayed payment of dues. The order was passed in Civil Appeal No.7724 of 2023, M/s Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation v. Central Board of Trustees and Anr., along with connected appeals. The Bench comprised…