FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA vs NIZAMUDDIN

The Supreme Court held that the first respondent was not entitled to compassionate appointment as he exceeded the age limit of 55 years stipulated in the Food Corporation of India's circular dated 3.7.1996. The Court emphasized that the eligibility criteria set forth in the circular must be strictly adhered to, and the decision of the Division Bench of the High Court allowing the appointment was set aside. The Court reaffirmed the principle that compassionate appointments are governed by specific rules and cannot be granted arbitrarily, thus ruling in favor of the appellant, Food Corporation of India.