Aftab Alam, J.

1. The father of the petitioner, namely Ram Bilas Yadav, worked as an Assistant Teacher in a Government girls primary school. He died on 6.2.1997 while still in service. Following his death, the petitioner made an application for appointment on compassionate ground. The petitioners request for appointment was considered by the District Compassionate Committee, Sitamarhi in its meeting held on 8-9-1997 and having regard to the fact that the petitioner had two wives, it was decided to seek guidance in the matter from the department of Administrative and Personnel Reforms. The Dy. Secretary, in the Department by his letter No. 7382, dated 10.7.1998 gave the direction that the petitioners appointment would not be valid because of his two marriages. A copy of the letter was forwarded to the District Superintendent of Education (through whom the petitioners application was received) for necessary action. At that stage, the mother of the petitioner, the widow of the deceased Government employee made a detailed application protesting against the decision not to give appointment to her son, the present petitioner, on the ground of bigamy. She tried to explain that the