In Brief
This case concerns a dispute over appointment of a halt contractor (a person authorised to sell train tickets at a railway halt station). The respondent's father held a halt contractor contract that expired in 2010 and was never renewed. After the father died in 2016, the respondent claimed preferential appointment under succession guidelines, relying on having worked temporarily in that capacity. The Supreme Court held that the succession guidelines apply only when a valid contract exists at the time of death. Since the original contract had expired a decade earlier and was not renewed, no heir succession rights arose. The Court found that temporary humanitarian permission to work does not create contractual status. The appeal was allowed and the High Court's direction to appoint the respondent was set aside."
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