Jothi Govindaraj, v. State Bank Of India,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE R.KALAIMATHI W.A(MD)No.502 of 2021 Jothi Govindaraj ... Appellant / Petitioner Vs.
1.State Bank of India, Represented by its Assistant General Manager, Zonal Office - Region II, Trichy - 620 001.
2.State Bank of India, HR Department, Local Head Office, 16, College Lane, Chennai - 600 006.
... Respondents / Respondents Prayer: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 03.01.2018 in W.P(MD)No.7156 of 2013 and allow the Writ Appeal as prayed for.
For Appellant : Mr.C.Mahadevan 1/6
For Respondents : Mr.M.Kannan Standing Counsel for R.1 Mr.VP.Rajan for R.2
JUDGMENT
(Judgment of the Court was made by G.R.Swaminathan J.) The unsuccessful writ petitioner is the appellant before us. 2.The writ petitioner's husband was employed as Assistant Manager in State Bank of India. He passed away on 05.12.2000. The writ petitioner's daughter applied to the Management seeking appointment on compassionate grounds. Her request was rejected vide order dated 15.07.2004. Subsequently, the Management introduced a scheme on 04.08.2005 providing for payment of an ex gratia lump sum amount in lieu of compassionate appointment. Thereupon, the petitioner applied to the Management seeking payment of ex gratia lump sum amount. Her request was rejected. Challenging the same, the appellant filed W.P(MD)No.7156 of 2013. The learned single Judge vide order dated 03.01.2018 dismissed the writ petition. Questioning the same, this Writ Appeal has been filed.
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3.After hearing the learned counsel on either side, we are of the view that there is no merit in this Writ Appeal. 4.The learned counsel appearing for the Management has filed additional typed set of papers enclosing a copy of 2005 scheme. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the said scheme read as follows: "2. This scheme for appointment of dependents of employees dying in harness / retired on medical grounds has been throwing up some unanticipated problems for the Bank as also for the dependent family members. While the Bank does not generally get employees who satisfy the requirements of working in computerised environment, many a time, the families of our deceased employees also do not get immediate support because the process of employment takes some time. In some cases, no dependent of the deceased employee is eligible to take up the job immediately and as such, there is no immediate support to the dependent family.
3. To overcome these problems, immediate monetary assistance in lieu of compassionate appointment may be the best alternative. The Executive Committee of the Central Board in its meeting held on 4th August, 2005 has approved a scheme for payment of exgratia lumpsum amount in lieu of appointment on compassionate grounds named as "SBI Scheme for 3/6
Payment of Ex-Gratia Lumpsum Amount". The new Scheme has come into force with effect from today i.e., 4th August 2005. This scheme will replace out existing Compassionate Appointment Scheme (referred in paragraph 1 above) and no request for compassionate appointment shall be entertained or considered by the Bank under any circumstance with effect from today i.e., 4th August, 2005."
5.In the case on hand, the request for compassionate appointment was rejected on 15.07.2004. Therefore, the question of invoking the 2005 Scheme for payment of ex gratia lump sum amount does not arise at all. The approach of the learned single Judge is right. Interference with the said order is not warranted.
6.This Writ Appeal stands dismissed. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [R.K.M, J.] 27.01.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No MGA 4/6
To 1.The Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, Zonal Office - Region II, Trichy - 620 001.
2.State Bank of India, HR Department, Local Head Office, 16, College Lane, Chennai - 600 006.
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G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.
AND R.KALAIMATHI , J.
MGA W.A(MD)No.502 of 2021 27.01.2026 6/6