CENTRAL COALFIELDS LTD Vs. MAHESHWAR MANJHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ALTHOUGH , these appeals are barred by limitation, having regard to the points raised, we are of the view that the question involved should be heard and decided, and, accordingly, we allow the applications for condonation of delay and condone the delay in filing all these appeals.

(2.) ALL these five appeals involve the same and/or similar questions of law and fact and are, therefore, taken up together for hearing and disposal. Out of these five appeals, the appeal filed by M/s. Central Coalfields Ltd. against Mino Devi is based on a Judgment dated 3rd March, 2004. The other appeals are all directed against a common Judgment dated 23rd April, 2004.

(3.) IN the instant case, it appears that the employees concerned died in harness prior to the publication of the second Circular and applications for compassionate appointments were made in some cases after the second Circular came into operation. The respondents in the writ petition rejected the claims of the various writ petitioners on the ground that they have applied for such compassionate appointment beyond the stipulated period of six months, as provided for in the first circular which became operative in December, 1995. Aggrieved thereby, the writ petitions were moved before the learned single Judge, which as indicated hereinabove, were heard together, except the writ petition of Mino Devi, and disposed of by a common judgment dated 23rd April, 2004.