Karnataka High Court Rejects Daughter-in-law's Plea for Compassionate Job

The Karnataka High Court dismissed Priyanka Halamani's petition for a job on compassionate grounds following her father-in-law's death. The court upheld that the statutory definition of 'family' excludes a daughter-in-law. The court stressed it does not have the authority to redefine 'family' for compassionate appointments.

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Priyanka Halamani seeking a job on compassionate grounds following her father-in-law's death. The petition was against the state's rural drinking water and sanitation department.

A division bench comprising Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Vijaykumar A Patil upheld the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal's earlier decision to reject Halamani's application. The court maintained that the statutory definition of 'family' does not include a daughter-in-law, and it is not within the court's authority to modify this definition.

The bench emphasized that the Legislature clearly defines 'family' for compassionate appointments, and the current definition excludes the daughter-in-law. Halamani's counsel argued for a broader interpretation of the rule, but the court, siding with the government, stated that altering the definition would overstep judicial boundaries. The ruling reaffirmed that eligibility for compassionate appointments is a matter of public policy, falling under legislative jurisdiction.

(With inputs from agencies.)