(1.) The question involved in this batch of writ petitions bearing CWP Nos. 13491, 13640 and 14881 of 1999 and 8102 of 2001 is whether compassionate appointment can be granted after expiry of a long period of time on the ground that the claimant (i.e. heir of the person who died in harness) was minor at the time of death of the employee concerned and became major after long period.
(2.) Since this is a common question to be decided in these writ petitions. We propose to dispose of these writ petitions by our common judgment.
(3.) Facts of CWP No. 11658 of 2001 may first be seen. The employee in question died on 14.6.1989. His widow first applied on 30.6.1989 praying that deceased's son be given appointment after he becomes major. She made another application dated 16.10.1989. This writ petition has been filed by son of the deceased who claims that his date of birth was 30.4.1982 and he was entitled to compassionate appointment after attaining the age of 17 years for which purpose he represented to the authorities but the authorities refused to appoint him as per decision dated 26.8.2000 (Annexure P-6).