In Brief
A widow sought compassionate appointment following her husband's death in 2000, but was denied on grounds of vacancy unavailability. The Central Administrative Tribunal and High Court directed the employer to reconsider her claim on merits. The Supreme Court held that compassionate appointments serve to help families manage immediate financial hardship after the breadwinner's death. Since no vacancy had existed within three years of his death, granting appointment years later would not serve its intended purpose. The Court allowed the appeal, overturning the lower courts' directions.
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