IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.661 of 2008 HIRALAL PASWAN, son of late Lakhan Paswan, resident of Nayanand Gola, P.S. Tikapatti, District Purnia … Petitioner Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR 2. District Magistrate, Purnia 3. Superintendent of Police, Purnia 4. Sub-divisional Magistrate, Dhamdaha, District Purnia 5. Sub-divisional Police Officer, Dhamdaha, District Purnia 6. Block Development Officer, Dhamdaha, District Purnia 7. Officer In-charge, Police Station Tikapatti, District Purnia … Respondents ----------- 2. 18.4.2011 Heard counsel for the petitioner and the counsel for the State. Admittedly the petitioner was minor when his father working on the post of Chowkidar died in the year 1984. The petitioner in fact could not become major in next two years as would be apparent from his age disclosed in the Affidavit portion of this writ application. Under the old circular dated 12.7.1977 the limitation was only of a period of two years which subsequently got extended to five years in 1989 for the purpose of filing of the application for compassionate appointment. Thus, if the petitioner was not eligible for appointment on any Government 2 post on account of his being minor and also remained so even till last date of filing of the application for compassionate appointment, this Court would find it difficult to now issue a writ of mandamus to consider the case of the petitioner for appointment on compassionate ground at this point of time when not only more than 24 years have already elapsed from the date of death of the deceased employee but also when a new statutory rule under proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India has been put into force as with regard to appointment on the post of Chowkidar. Thus, both on the ground of ineligibility of the petitioner as also unexplained delay of more than 24 years in moving this Court, this application has to be dismissed. It is ordered accordingly. (Mihir Kumar Jha,J.) Surendra/