Karnataka HC Gives Government 8 Weeks To Consider Compassionate Appointment For Son Whose Father Died In Service, If Eligible, At Another Aided College

The petitioner’s father, employed as a Second Division Assistant/Typist at a college managed by respondents 4 and 5, died in service on 19 December 2024.

The petitioner applied for compassionate appointment on 22 September 2025; the college forwarded his application to the Deputy Director, but no decision followed.

The college stated that another applicant, the son of a deceased lecturer, was already under consideration for the sole vacancy arising from the petitioner’s father’s death, and that the petitioner’s proposal had been forwarded to the Government.

The petitioner sought a direction for consideration of his application and appointment to an eligible post.

The Court applied the Karnataka Civil Service (Compassionate Appointment) Rules, directing that the petitioner’s case be considered only if he was eligible under those Rules.

It also relied on the principle that delay in considering a compassionate-appointment claim may defeat the object of compassionate appointment.

Given the delay in acting on the petitioner’s application, the Court considered it necessary to ensure that the claim was processed promptly.

Although the college referred to another applicant being considered for the vacancy, the Court did not determine priority between the applicants or find that the petitioner was entitled to appointment.

Instead, it directed the respondents to forward the petitioner’s proposal, if not already done, and required the Government to assess his eligibility under the Rules, including for a post in another aided college within the specified areas.

The exercise was to be completed within eight weeks, followed by a compliance report.