Anal Raj S v. The Superintending Engineer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :30.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.Anal Raj ... Petitioner vs.

The Superintending Engineer, Tirunelveli Electricity Distribution Circle, Tirunelveli.

... Respondent PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the respondent in his proceedings in KA.No.010751/186/NI.A/NI.B.3/U. 3/KO.VA.VELLAI/2022 dated 24.05.2022 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondent to appoint in any one of the post in the respondent office on compassionate ground. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Jeyakumaran For Respondent : Mr.S.Arivalagan Standing Counsel ***** 1/5

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the impugned order passed by the respondent in his proceedings in KA.No.010751/186/NI.B.3/U. 3/KO.VA.VELLAI/2022 dated 24.05.2022 and consequently direct the respondent to appoint in any one of the post in the respondent office on compassionate ground.

2. Mr.S.Arivalagan, learned Standing Counsel, takes notice for the respondent.

3. By consent of both parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission.

4. The petitioner's father died on 06.06.2015. The petitioner's mother had already applied for compassionate appointment on 09.03.2018, however, the same was declined. At the time of the petitioner's father's death, the petitioner was 9 years old, having been born on 26.04.2004.

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5. It is a settled proposition that the three year period of limitation ought to be calculated from the date of death of the deceased employee. As the petitioner was a minor on that date and did not attain majority within the said three year period, the petitioner is not eligible for compassionate appointment.

However, the respondent wrongly rejected the application of the petitioner's mother for compassionate appointment on the ground that she had not passed the 8th standard. The said reason assigned by the respondent is incorrect. Further, irrespective of educational qualificatin, the petitioner's mother's application ought to be considered for last grade post.

6. Therefore, the respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's mother's application for compassionate appointment. This exercise shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

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NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes am To The Superintending Engineer, Tirunelveli Electricity Distribution Circle, Tirunelveli.

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S.SRIMATHY , J.

am ORDER MADE IN DATED :30.03.2026 5/5