New Delhi :
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a special leave petition seeking compassionate appointment, upholding the Rajasthan High Court’s order rejecting the petitioner’s plea. The case involved the son of a deceased Principal Commissioner, Central Excise, who had approached the court claiming entitlement to a government job on compassionate grounds.

A bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan expressed disbelief at the petition, stating that the request for a compassionate appointment in such circumstances defied the fundamental purpose of the scheme. “You can't stretch compassionate appointments to absurd limits,” Justice Bhuyan remarked during the hearing. Highlighting the petitioner’s affluent background, he further questioned, “You are the son of the Principal Commissioner, Central Excise. Where is the question of a compassionate appointment?”

The Court’s comments came in light of revelations that the petitioner owned significant property, including 33 acres of land and a high-income group (HIG) house.

Compassionate appointments are intended to provide relief to families left in financial distress following the death of a government employee. The Court’s ruling reaffirms the principle that such appointments must be reserved for genuinely needy cases, not for those who are financially self-sufficient.

The dismissal underscores the judiciary’s stand against misuse of welfare schemes and reinforces the view that economic hardship—not entitlement—is the basis for compassionate employment.