In Brief
A deceased BSNL employee's son applied for compassionate appointment in 2004, eligible under the 1998 scheme. The application remained pending until 2007 when a new scheme was introduced. His application was then rejected under the new scheme without proper consideration. The High Court awarded ₹10 lakhs compensation. The Supreme Court upheld the right to compensation but reduced it to ₹5 lakhs, finding the delay was entirely due to appellants' inaction. Although the respondent's age precluded actual employment, he was entitled to monetary relief for the unreasonable bureaucratic delay that deprived him of his legitimate opportunity."
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