WPA/22488/2026 of BANASRI PATRA Vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS. on 22 September 2026

1. The petitioner is the widow of a deceased employee who worked as a constable at the Second Battalion, Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas and died-in-harness on June 28, 2014. The petitioner's application for compassionate appointment was made immediately thereafter sometime in 2015. The said application had not been considered for a rather long period of time and was pending with the authorities.

2. Pursuant to the direction of this Court, the authorities have filed a report dated September 16, 2026 disclosing the recommendation of a Screening Committee which had held its meeting and duly recommended the petitioner for appointment as a lady constable in the West Bengal Police under the exempted category on compassionate grounds. This decision was taken on December 2, 2024 and unfortunately has not been given effect to till date.

3. A copy of the report, which is in the form of an instruction to the learned Advocate appearing for the State, along with the recommendation of the Screening Committee/Enquiry Committee, are kept on record.

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4. Since the petitioner has been found to be eligible, there is no impediment in the appointment of the petitioner, subject to the petitioner fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

5. In view of the afore-stated report and the recommendation, I direct the Secretary, Department of Home (Police) to take necessary steps on the basis of the recommendation made by the Enquiry Committee dated December 2, 2024 and if found otherwise eligible, to proceed with the appointment of the petitioner to the post of lady constable in the West Bengal Police.

6. This entire process should be completed by October 15, 2026.

7. With this direction as afore-stated, the writ-petition is disposed of. No order as to costs.

(Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, J.)