Parveen Kumar Mahto v. Food Corporation Of India Ltd (Fci) & ORS.

$~80 *

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

p + W.P.(C) 14729/2025 PARVEEN KUMAR MAHTO .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Ms.

Sushree Sipra Sahu, Advocates.

versus FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD (FCI) & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Ms. Richa Kapoor, Ms. Udipti Chopra, Mr.

Kunal Anand, Advocates for FCI.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 23.09.2025 1.

By way of this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner seeks compassionate appointment in accordance with the applicable rules and policy of the respondent - Food Corporation of India ["FCI"], in lieu of his father, who was in service with the FCI at the time of his death on 13.06.2020.

2.

The writ petition records that the petitioner's mother submitted an application for release of ex-gratia payment under the FCI's policy applicable to COVID-19-related deaths of its employees. The ex-gratia payment was ultimately paid, but the petitioner's request for compassionate appointment has not yet been decided. 3.

The petitioner has not placed a copy of FCI's policy in this regard, on record, but a proforma for employment of the dependents of government servants, has been annexed at Annexure-P-10 to the writ petition. The petitioner claims to have submitted an application in this form on 23.09.2024.

W.P.(C) 14729/2025 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 25/09/2025 at 12:46:54

4.

However, upon a perusal of the aforesaid document, it appears that Part III thereof has not been completely filled. 5.

Ms. Richa Kapoor, learned counsel for the FCI, who appears on advance notice, states that she has no instructions regarding the contents of the policy for compassionate appointment or as to the petitioner's eligibility for appointment thereunder.

6.

However, at this stage, since the application appears not to have been processed, I am of the view that the appropriate course is for the FCI to first consider the petitioner's request in accordance with its policy. 7.

In light of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

a) FCI is requested to designate an officer to assist the petitioner in submitting a complete application with all requisite documents. Ms. Kapoor is requested to communicate the name and contact details of the designated officer to Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner, within one week from today. b) If the petitioner submits a complete application with all requisite documents, FCI is directed to process the same in accordance with its policy within four weeks of receipt of the application. c) In the event the petitioner is found ineligible for compassionate appointment, FCI will communicate a reasoned decision to the petitioner within eight weeks of receipt of the complete application. 8.

The rights and contentions of the parties remain reserved. PRATEEK JALAN, J SEPTEMBER 23, 2025/"Bhupi/sd"/ W.P.(C) 14729/2025 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 25/09/2025 at 12:46:54