THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.22471 of 2010 ORDER: One Sri P.Saleem was employed as Attender in Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, the respondent herein. He is said to have died on 03.06.2008 while in service. Claiming to be the second wife of the deceased employee, the petitioner submitted a representation, dated 01.07.2010, with a prayer to appoint her on compassionate grounds. The Office of the respondent addressed a letter, dated 08.07.2010, requiring the petitioner to submit succession certificate from a Court of law to enable it to examine her case. The same is challenged in this writ petition. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the first wife of the deceased employee is none other than the sister of the petitioner and being blind, she expressed her inability to take up any employment if provided on compassionate grounds. He further submits that the necessity to file succession certificate would arise , if only there is any dispute and there was no basis for the respondent in insisting on production of succession certificate. The learned Standing counsel for the respondent, on the other hand, submits that in the matter of providing appointment on compassionate grounds, the self-serving claims cannot be considered, unless determined and adjudicated by the Court of law. The petitioner claims to be the second wife of the deceased employee. Whether or not there existed a marriage between herself and the deceased is a fact, which needs to be proved before a Court of law on the basis of the oral and documentary evidence. The second question would be as to whether a second wife of an employee, though professing Islam, can be recognized in law for conferring benefit. Unless the status of the petitioner is determined by a Court, the respondent cannot be expected to take any steps. Hence, the writ petition is dismissed, leaving it open to the petitioner to approach a civil Court under the relevant provisions of law for grant of succession certificate for determining her status and succession. In case the petitioner institutes such proceedings, the Court concerned shall consider the feasibility of disposing of the same as early as possible. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY,J Dt:08.09.2010 kdl