2026 Supreme(Online)(HP) 5086
IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA
Jyotsna Rewal Dua, J
Shruti Sharma – Appellant
Versus
State of H.P. – Respondent
CWP No. 19276 of 2025
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Atharv Sharma
For the Respondents: Seema Sharma
The court allowed the petitioner to submit a fresh representation for compassionate appointment based on a new government Office Memorandum that permits reconsideration of cases previously rejected due to indigency.
Headnote:(A) Compassionate Appointment - Reconsideration of rejected cases - Office Memorandum dated 01.07.2026 allows fresh consideration for cases previously rejected on grounds of indigency, based on current circumstances. (Para 2, 4)
Issues: Whether the petitioner is entitled to have her case for compassionate appointment reconsidered in light of the Office Memorandum dated 01.07.2026.
Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge
This writ petition concerns compassionate employment prayed for by the petitioner. Respondents have rejected the case of the petitioner on 12.03.2025. Precise grievance of the petitioner has been noticed in the following order passed in this writ petition on 09.12.2025:-
“Notice. Mr. L.N. Sharma, learned Additional Advocate General, appears and waives service of notice on behalf of the respondents.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner invites attention to Annexure P-4 dated 12.03.2025, wherein two reasons have been accorded by the respondents for rejecting petitioner’s compassionate employment case, i.e. (i) That the petitioner is a married daughter; and (ii) Her family income is much more than prescribed for a family of three members.
3. According to learned counsel for the petitioner, petitioner’s father-late Sh. Bias Dev Sharma was survived by four legal heirs and not three, i.e. his mother Smt. Sunder Devi, his wife- Smt. Neera Sharma, his son Sh. Amit Sharma and daughter-Ms. Shruti Sharma (petitioner). Income of the family, therefore, has to be taken against the prescribed income of Rs.2,50,000/- for a family of four members. Inviting attention to page 25 of the paper book, it was submitted that petitioner’s family income was Rs.2,43,000/- per annum, therefore, within the permissible income limit. The second reason of petitioner being married daughter was also disputed on facts. Learned counsel submitted that the petitioner is the only daughter of the deceased government employee-late Sh.Bias Dev Sharma and she is not married.
4. Let learned Additional Advocate General to have instructions in the matter. List on 16.12.2025.”
During hearing of this case, learned counsel for the petitioner has placed on record Office Memorandum issued by State Finance Department on 01.07.2026. In terms of said Office Memorandum, as a one-time measure, compassionate employment cases can be considered afresh, which were earlier rejected on ground of indigency, strictly on the basis of indigent circumstances prevailing on the date of fresh consideration. Under the aforesaid office memorandum, application to reconsider and reexamine the case afresh can be submitted by the eligible dependents before 31.12.2026.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to furnish fresh representation seeking compassionate employment under the aforesaid Office Memorandum. Therefore, this writ petition be disposed of with direction to the respondents/competent authority to consider and decide representation to be preferred by the petitioner in terms of the aforesaid Office Memorandum dated 01.07.2026.
Learned Deputy Advocate General assures that the respondents would have no objection to consider the case of the petitioner, in case it falls within the ambit of aforesaid Office Memorandum.
Having regard to the afore-submissions, but without examining the merits of the matter, this writ petition is disposed of with liberty reserved to the petitioner to prefer representation in terms of Office Memorandum dated 01.07.2026 for employment on compassionate grounds. On receipt thereof, her case shall be considered by the respondents/competent authority within six weeks thereafter, in accordance with applicable policy and keeping in view the Office Memorandum dated 01.07.2026.
Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also to stand disposed of.