RBE No. 218/2019: Appointment on Compassionate Grounds – Cases of Second Wife and her Wards

No.E(NG)II/2016/RC-1/CR/12 (Pt.), dated 31.12.2019

Sub: Appointment on Compassionate Grounds – cases of second wife and her wards.

1. Attention is invited to Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/91/RC-1/136, dated 02.01.1992 (RBE No. 01/1992) wherein it has been laid down that in the case of Railway employee dying in harness, etc. leaving more than one widow along with children born to second wife, while settlement dues may be shared by both widows due to court orders or otherwise on merits of each case, appointment on compassionate grounds to the second widow and her children are not to be considered unless the administration has permitted the second marriage in special circumstances, taking into account the personal law etc.
2. In the case of Union of India vs. V.R. Tripathi, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had, vide their order dated 11.12.2018 in OA No.12015/2018 (arising out of SLP(C) No.32004/2016) dismissed on merits the Appeal filed against the Hon’ble Bombay High Court’s Order in WP No. 910/2015 and in WP No. 892/2015 in two Central Railway cases that permitted consideration for grant of compassionate appointment to the child of the 2nd wife of the deceased Railway employee. Subsequently, several other judgments of Hon’ble High Courts have been received in which consideration for grant of compassionate ground appointment to a child born to the 2nd wife of the employees has been directed based on similar ratio.
3. The matter has, therefore, been reviewed by Board in view of above judicial pronouncements considering also in view of the Central Agencies Section of the Ministry of Law & Justice. In partial supersession of Board’s Circular No.E(NG)II/91/RC-1/136, dated 02.01.1992 (RBE No. 01/1992) referred to, it has now been decided that children born to the second wife may also be considered for compassionate appointments even where the second marriage has not been is specifically permitted by the administration. However, since compassionate appointment after demise of the Railway employee can be considered for granting to only one dependent family member on merits, a child born to second wife can be considered for such appointment only after ascertaining that there is no objection to this from the first wife or her children. Where the first wife (legally wedded wife) opts for such compassionate appointment either for herself or one of her own children, such claim will have priority over any competing claim made by the second wife for any of her children.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.218/2019

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.120/2023,