Struggling with a 13-Year-Old PF Transfer Issue: How Can I Find Legal Help and Seek Compensation?

Old PF Transfer Case: Seeking Resolution

I have a very old case, around 13 years old, when I moved from company A in Noida to company B in Bangalore in 2004. Company A had a PF account with the Government of India in Noida, while company B has a PF trust. For several years, company B kept sending reminders and new forms for transfer, but the transfer was never effected, and the money was never credited.

After several visits to the PF office in Noida, I was informed that the transfer happened in 2005, with details of the cheque, amount, and date on which it was encashed, and was told to check in Bangalore. After visiting all PF offices in Bangalore and being told (essentially shooed away) that they had not received it, I needed to check with other PF offices in Bangalore. None of the PF offices confirmed receiving the money, nor did the trust in my company acknowledge receiving it.

I visited the Noida office multiple times between 2007 to 2010, but encountered the same story each time. I was never given Annex 13, despite repeated requests to my employers at company A or the PF office in Noida. Due to work pressure and subsequent job changes, I did not pursue this matter until around 2013. I lodged complaints on the PF grievances site several times in 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2017, but none of these were responded to, and they were closed with responses like "the concerned official has been informed." In 2016 and 2017, I filed four RTIs seeking the lost money trail and details of who encashed it, but the responses provided no useful information, only adding to my frustration. Almost all the RTIs and some of the first appeals I submitted were closed, claiming that the issue had been addressed.

Options for Legal Action

What are the options available, such as filing a case in consumer court?

Seeking Legal Assistance

Are there any good lawyers with experience in handling such past cases?

I have endured enough mockery of my patience; can I be compensated for the harassment of 13 years?

Cheers!

Before getting your legal howitzers ready, kindly take the following steps:

Write a letter to the Chief Labour Commissioner and send it via registered post to them along with a copy to the Labour Ministry and PMO. It may seem like a foolish thing to do, but I did this with a few of my clients and things got addressed. Also, write a complaint through the PG Portal. Since the matter is subject to a limitation, now you can only file this in the High Court of your state. So, do these steps first.

Dear Labour Law Index,

Thank you for your inputs on this. I will heed this advice and send letters to these people/ministries. I will update this thread on how it goes.

Thanks and regards.

Please clarify your information that "Company A had a PF account with the Government of India in Noida." You need to communicate with the concerned PF Office in Bangalore. Let me know to which PF Office in Bangalore your EPF Trust is attached. I have contacts in Bangalore.

Dear LABOUR LAW INDEX,

The PF matter does not come under the jurisdiction of the Chief Labour Commissioner. The queriest needs to write to RPFC, Noida, and copy CPFC, Delhi, the Labour Ministry, and PMO stating the hardship faced to retrieve his hard-earned money.

Thank you.