JUDGMENT

Aftab Alam, J. —

1. This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment passed by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court. By the judgment and order coming under appeal, the High Court directed the appellants to provide appointment to the respondent under the scheme of “compassionate appointments” for the death of his father while he was in service. The High Court further asked the appellants to comply with the direction within three months from the date of the order.

2. The respondent’s father Meenakshisundaram worked as a Watchman in Karaikal Municipality. He died on November 22, 1988, after putting in 4 years 3 months and 25 days of service. He left behind a widowed wife and two sons, including the respondent who was 11 years old at that time. The wife of the deceased, whose age at the time of the death of her husband was 39 years, did not make any request for her appointment on compassionate grounds.

3. After about five and a half years of his father’s death, the respondent passed the S.S.L.C. examination in April, 1993. And then, for the first time on July, 29, 1993, the respondent’s mother made an application for his appointment on compassionate grounds.