The Food Corporation of India (FCI) had a scheme to provide compassionate appointments to dependents of employees who retired or died under certain circumstances. The scheme was expanded in 1996 ... to include dependents of employees who took voluntary retirement on medical grounds before reaching the age of 55 years. In this case, the second respondent (employee) applied for voluntary retirement on medical grounds in 1999, requesting the compassionate appointment of his son in his place. He was 55 years and 2 months old at the time, slightly exceeding the age limit set by the scheme. Despite his retirement being approved, FCI rejected the son's compassionate appointment, citing non-compliance with the age limit.