UMESH KUMAR NAGPAL vs STATE OF HARYANA

The Supreme Court upheld the principle that appointments in public services on compassionate grounds must adhere to strict criteria, primarily focusing on the financial condition of the deceased employee's family. The Court emphasized that such appointments should only be made for the lowest posts (Classes III and IV) to alleviate financial distress, and not as a matter of course or for higher positions. The judgment clarified that mere death of an employee does not automatically entitle the family to employment, and public authorities must ensure that the family would face hardship without such employment, thereby reinforcing the legal framework surrounding compassionate appointments.