HC asks EPF Tribunal head to be present before it on May 11

The Delhi High Court has directed the Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal (EPFAT) presiding officer to be present before it on May 11 when it takes up the plea of EPFO's Central Provident Fund Commissioner challenging the arrest warrant issued against him by the Tribunal.
Justice V P Vaish issued the direction while granting an interim stay on the Tribunal's May 2 order issuing arrest warrant against V P Joy, the head of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
"In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) as well as Presiding Officer of EPFAT will remain present on the next date of hearing at 4.00PM," the court said while also issuing notice to the Tribunal and seeking its reply by May 11 on Joy's plea.

The relief was granted to Joy in the case related to Dentsu Marcom Pvt Ltd's petition against an assessment order passed by one of the Assistant Provident Funds Commissioners.
The Tribunal had on April 22 also issued an arrest warrant against Joy but he got a stay from the Delhi High Court with the undertaking that he would appear before EPFAT on May 2.
However, Joy had failed to appear before the Tribunal on May 2 after which EPFAT had issued a fresh arrest warrant against him.
"Considering all the circumstances of the case, a fresh warrant of arrest against the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC), to be executed by Station House Officer of Preet Vihar police station, Delhi, be issued duly returnable on May 5, 2016 (after the de-notified date of hearing that is fixed before the High Court of Delhi)," the Tribunal had said in its May 2 order.

Joy had in his plea in the High Court said that he was represented by his counsel but the Tribunal still passed such an order against him.