LIFE INS CORP Vs. ASHA AMBEKAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) [Ed. Facts : Husband of respdt. was employed in LIC. He expired suddenly on 11.8.87. Respdt. sought appointment on compassionate ground but was refused due to over-age. Then her son applied. Clause 4 of Circular of LIC of 20.1.87 which is "where any member of the family is employed, no appointment may be made on compassionate grounds" stood against him and his request was declined on 21.10.91. He filed W.P. High Court ordered his appointment. LIC appealed to Supreme Court.] After detailing above facts, judgment proceeds :

(2.) Of late, this Court is coming across many cases in which appointment on compassionate ground is directed by judicial authorities. Hence, we would like to lay down the law in this regard. The High Courts and the Administrative Tribunals cannot confer benediction impelled by sympathetic consideration. No doubt shakespeare said in Merchant of Venice :

(3.) These words will not apply to all situations. Yielding to instinct will tend to ignore the cold logic of law. It should be remembered "law is the embodiment of all wisdom". Justice according to law is a principle as old as the hills. The Courts are to administer law as they find it, however, inconvenient it may be.