In Brief
Steel Authority of India appealed against a High Court judgment ordering it to reconsider a widow's request for compassionate appointment of her second son, 18 years after her husband's death as an employee. The Supreme Court held that delay and laches bar such claims. Once substantial time has elapsed and the family has survived, the objective of providing immediate financial amelioration is lost. The Court quashed the High Court and Tribunal orders, holding that compassionate appointment is an exception to merit-based recruitment and cannot override Article 14 equality protections when undue delay is involved. The appeal was allowed.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.