Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Orissa HC Slams Utkal University for 15-Year Delay in Compassionate Appointment
Imagine a family's main helper, who worked at a school called Utkal University, sadly passed away.
The university had a rule that if a worker died, their child could get a job to help the family.
But this family had to wait for 15 very long years!
A big court, the Orissa High Court, got very upset about this long wait.
The judge said the university was not being kind and should have helped the family much sooner.
The court ordered the university to give the job to the child right away, within three weeks.
If they don't, they have to pay the child money every day.
The university also has to pay the child a large amount of money for all the trouble and waiting.
Orissa High Court has criticized Utkal University for a 15-year delay in granting a compassionate appointment.
The petitioner's father, a University employee, died on March 10, 2010, leading to the son's claim for compassionate appointment.
The High Court noted that compassionate appointment claims should be treated with urgency.
The University is directed to appoint the petitioner within three weeks or face a daily penalty of Rs. 1,000.
Utkal University must also pay Rs. 1 lakh in costs to the petitioner within thirty days.
- Who
- The Orissa High Court and a petitioner whose father died while employed at Utkal University.
- What
- The High Court has ordered Utkal University to provide a compassionate appointment to the petitioner and pay costs, strongly criticizing the university for a 15-year delay.
- When
- The father died on March 10, 2010, and the court order was recently issued.
- Where
- Orissa High Court and Utkal University.
- Why
- The University was accused of showing a callous attitude and treating the claim for compassionate appointment without compassion, despite Supreme Court directives to treat such cases on a war footing.
Petitioner's Stance
Utkal University's Actions
Compassionate Appointment
Petitioner's Stance
The petitioner has a legitimate claim for compassionate appointment due to his father's death and is entitled to it under university policy.
Utkal University's Actions
The University significantly delayed processing the compassionate appointment claim for 15 years, treating it without necessary urgency or compassion.
Adherence to Court Directives
Petitioner's Stance
The University should respect Supreme Court warnings to treat compassionate appointment claims on a war footing.
Utkal University's Actions
The University has shown scant respect for court orders and has been disobeying them, which undermines the rule of law.
Financial Hardship and Emotional Distress
Petitioner's Stance
The petitioner's family has suffered financial distress and spent valuable time and money fighting legal battles due to the delay.
Utkal University's Actions
The University exhibited a callous and culpable attitude towards the family of its deceased employee.
- Court
- Orissa High Court
- University
- Utkal University
- Petitioner's Father's Position
- Common Room Attendant
- Date of Father's Death
- March 10, 2010
- Court Order Deadline
- Within three weeks
- Daily Penalty for Non-compliance
- Rs. 1,000
- Cost Awarded to Petitioner
- Rs. 1 lakh