Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur

Order Date: 06.07.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Surendra Kumar Kurre, son of the late Kailobai, aged about 34 years, residing at Shiv Prasad Nagar, Tahsil Bhaiyathan, District Surajpur, Chhattisgarh.
  • Respondents: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) through its Chairman‑Cum‑Managing Director, Seepat Road, Bilaspur; the Chief General Manager SECL Chirmiri Area; the Chief Personnel Manager SECL Chirmiri Area; the Regional Commissioner Coal Mines Provident Fund, Gupteshwar Marg, Jabalpur, MP; the Store Manager Regional Stores SECL, Koriya Colliery Chirmiri Area; and Adesh Kumari (wife of Rajlal), aged about 26 years, residing at Badkapara, Tahsil and District Surajpur, Chhattisgarh.
  • Legal Representatives: Shri Ashok Kumar Shukla (Petitioner) and Shri Pankaj Agrawal (Respondents).
  • Petition Number: WPS No. 9137 of 2022.
  • Reliefs Sought: (i) Issuance of a writ of mandamus/certiorari directing respondents to extend dependent employment to the petitioner with all consequential benefits and to pay all retiral dues (Clause 10.1); (ii) Direction to consider and decide the petitioner’s pending representations in an objective manner by speaking order (Clause 10.2); (iii) Any other relief deemed fit, including costs (Clause 10.3).
  • Background: The petitioner’s adoptive mother, Kailobai, an employee of the respondents, died on 10‑Feb‑2010. The petitioner applied for dependent employment on 30‑Oct‑2019. The application remained pending due to a civil succession dispute, which the petitioner claims has been finally decided by the District Court, Baikunthpur.
  • Respondents’ Position: Opposed the petition, stating that a decision would be taken in accordance with law if no legal impediment existed.

Court Findings & Directions

  • The Court observed that the succession dispute has been finally decided by the learned District Judge, Baikunthpur.
  • The petitioner may place the court’s decision and other relevant documents before the Competent Authority.
  • The Competent Authority is directed to decide the petitioner’s application for dependent employment preferably within 90 days from the receipt of a copy of this order.
  • The petition is hereby disposed of.

Final Outcome

  • The petition is dismissed with costs; the respondents are mandated to adjudicate the dependent employment request within 90 days upon receipt of the order and supporting documents.

Topics: Employment Law, Coal Mining Sector