The Court directed the respondent authority to decide pending applications for compassionate appointment and death-cum-retiral benefits for the legal heirs of a deceased employee within 45 days, strictly in accordance with the law and on its own merits.

Order on Board

1. By the present writ petition, the petitioner, who was respondent No.5 in WPS No.6964/2021, is seeking a direction towards the respondent-General Manager, SECL, Bhatgaon Area to decide the pending application submitted by the petitioner for grant of compassionate appointment and death-cum-retiral dues of her deceased father namely Late Lakhpati Mandal.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner by referring order dated 26/08/2025 passed by this Court in WPS No.6964/2021 (Rahul Kumar Mandal Vs. SECL and Ors), said Rahul Kumar Mandal is respondent No.3 in the present writ petition, who is also one of the sons of Late Lakhpati Mandal sought compassionate appointment and death-cum-retiral benefits. In the said writ petition, this Court issued a direction to SECL to decide the applications moved by Rahul Kumar Mandal and Parmila Devi (respondent No.6 in said writ petition) within a period of ninety days, however, because of pendency of the present writ petition, the General Manager, SECL Bhatgaon is not considering the same. Thus, a direction may be issued to the said authorities to take appropriate decision.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner herein, who is the daughter of deceased employee, has also moved an application on 07/09/2021 and as such, the General Manager SECL Bhatgaon may be directed to take decision on the said application also.

4. At this juncture, learned counsel appearing for the respondents Nos.1 and 2 would submit that the SECL will consider the application of the petitioner herein, Rahul Kumar Mandal, petitioner in WPS No.6964/2021 and Parmila Devi, respondent No.6 in WPS No.6964/2021, strictly in accordance with law.

5. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent No.3-Rahul Kumar Mandal, would submit that she has no objection if the SECL will consider the case of the aforesaid persons.

6. In view of the aforesaid submissions made by the parties, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the General Manager, SECL Bhatgaon to decide the applications preferred by Kavita Kumari, Rahul Kumar Mandal and Parmila Devi, strictly in accordance with law and on its own merits and after affording due opportunity of hearing within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

7. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on merits of this case.