1 2026:CGHC:24380 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 4536 of 2026 Santoshi Patle W/o Late Kanchram Patle Aged About 37 Years R/o Village Achanakpur, P.O. Korbi, Dongi Pendri, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh. ... Petitioner(s) versus 1. State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Department Of Forest And Climate Change, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Divisional Forest Officer Forest Division, Katghora, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Forest Range Officer Jatga, Forest Division, Katghora, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent(s) (Cause title taken from CIS) For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Divya Sahu, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Shri Shahil Singh, Panel Lawyer SHOAIB ANWAR Digitally signed by SHOAIB ANWAR Date: 2026.06.17 17:07:35 +0530 2 Hon'ble Shri Bibhu Datta Guru , Judge Order on Board 17.06.2026 1. Petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking following reliefs:- "10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondent authorities to consider and finally decide the petitioner's pending application for compassionate appointment dated 24.12.2025 (Annexure P/2) within a stipulated time frame. 10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the Respondent authorities to grant compassionate appointment to the petitioner on a suitable post, considering her eligibility as per the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Compassionate Appointment) Rules. 10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to grant any other relief, as it may deems fit and appropriate." 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the widow of a deceased employee of the Forest Department. Learned counsel submits that after the demise 3 of her husband, the petitioner submitted an application dated 24.12.2025 (Annexure P/2) seeking appointment on compassionate grounds. However, despite the lapse of considerable time, no decision has been taken thereon by the respondent/State. 3. Learned State counsel, on instructions, places before this Court a communication dated 13.04.2026 issued by the Divisional Forest Officer, Katghora Forest Division, addressed to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Bilaspur Circle, Bilaspur (C.G.). Referring to the said communication, he submits that the case of the petitioner for compassionate appointment has been recommended by the Divisional Forest Officer and is presently under consideration. He further submits that the appointment order in favour of the petitioner shall be issued within a period of four weeks. 4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the communication dated 13.04.2026. 5. From perusal of the aforesaid communication, it appears that the DFO has recommended the case of the petitioner for appointment on compassionate grounds consequent upon the death of her husband while in service. Learned State 4 counsel has also made a statement, on instructions, that the appointment order shall be issued within four weeks. 6. In view of the aforesaid facts and the statement made on behalf of the respondents, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the competent respondent authority to issue the appointment order in favour of the petitioner on compassionate grounds within a period of four weeks. 7. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (Bibhu Datta Guru) Judge Shoaib