Recently, the bench headed by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court remarked regarding a lingering case residing in the confines of an ivory tower:

"The duration of this case has surpassed reasonable limits. It's imperative to shift our focus towards the plight of the less fortunate. The tears shed by the poor have gone unnoticed for too long. It's high time we prioritize their needs.''

Justice Gangopadhyay expressed displeasure that the job of the deceased mother was not given to her son. He said that the mother died, what will happen to that family? The mother needs to give a job to her son. There are rules for giving such jobs. If someone applies as per the rules then why is there any hindrance in it?

Case Brief -

Salena Khatoon was a primary school teacher in North 24 Parganas. He died due to illness in 2018. After the death of his mother, son Sheikh Sahil had applied for appointment on compassionate grounds. This was rejected by the District Primary School Council. The son was 15 years and 7 months old at the time of his mother's death. When he turned 18, he applied for a job in place of his mother.

Earlier, Justice Amrita Singh had directed the District Primary School Council to consider the petitioner's plea. He said that if he applies for a job even after two years, he should be considered.

The complainant complains that this too has been rejected. A new case was filed in the High Court. The case was heard in the court of Justice Gangopadhyay on Thursday.

A three-judge bench of the high court dismissed another similar case filed by education department lawyer Vishwabrata Basu Mallick. The bench said that appointments cannot be made in this manner on compassionate grounds. The next hearing of this case will be on November 28.