Key Issues:

• Compassionate appointment application delayed for 11 years.
• Petitioner’s father passed away in service on 08.02.2013.
• Petitioner applied for compassionate appointment on 18.09.2013.
• Municipal Council delayed processing, citing lack of documents.
• Petitioner argued for relief due to inaction and delay.

Decision:

1. Admitted Delay: The Municipal Council failed to act on the petitioner’s application for compassionate appointment for over 11 years.

2. Requirement Waived: The court waived the need for the heirship certificate given the circumstances, requiring only the submission of the birth certificate, death certificate of the father, and ration card.

3. Order for Appointment: The Petitioner’s application date (18.09.2013) to be used to determine seniority in the eligibility list for compassionate appointments. The Municipal Council is directed to issue the appointment order accordingly.

4. Compensation: The court awarded Rs. One Lakh to the petitioner as compensation for the delay and hardship caused.

5. Legal Precedent: Cited the Supreme Court ruling in Malaya Nanda Sethy vs. State of Orissa, AIR 2022 SC 2836, emphasizing that compassionate appointments should be processed within six months to avoid financial hardship to the deceased employee's family.

Conclusion: The Bombay High Court took a strong stance against the delay, ensuring the petitioner’s rights were upheld and compensating for the years of lost employment.