M/S EASTERN COALFIELDS LTD. vs ANIL BADYAKAR .

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court of Calcutta, confirming the appointment of the respondent on compassionate grounds despite the 12-year delay since the death of the original employee, Kalo Dome. The Court reiterated that compassionate appointments are intended to alleviate immediate financial distress following the death of a breadwinner, as established in Umesh Kumar Nagpal vs. State of Haryana (1994) 4 SCC 138. The Court held that the lapse of time does not negate the compassionate nature of the appointment, provided the family circumstances warrant it.