Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Strikes Down Bihar Policy on Compassionate Appointments
The Supreme Court said that a married daughter can still ask for a special job after her dad dies.
In Bihar, a rule said only daughters who were divorced or left their husbands could get this help.
The Court said that rule is unfair and breaks the law.
It also said a brother’s objection didn’t matter because he had already said it was okay.
The Court told the state to look at the case again in eight weeks.
Supreme Court ruled married daughters cannot be denied compassionate appointments under Bihar policy.
The decision struck down the policy as unconstitutional under Article 14, rejecting the state's classification between sons and daughters.
The Court dismissed the brother’s objection, noting he had previously provided a no‑objection certificate.
Bihar authorities were directed to reconsider the case on merits within eight weeks.
The case involved Sayara Khatoon and her daughter, who challenged a Patna High Court order that upheld the denial.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Sayara Khatoon and her daughter
- What
- Struck down Bihar policy limiting compassionate appointments to divorced or deserted daughters
- When
- July 31, 2026
- Where
- Supreme Court, New Delhi; Bihar state
- Why
- Policy violated Article 14, unconstitutional classification between sons and daughters
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Policy Date
- December 10, 2014
- Decision Date
- July 31, 2026
- Affected Parties
- Sayara Khatoon and her daughter
- Directive
- Reconsider within eight weeks