JODHPUR, June 11 -- The Rajasthan high court has held that the only relevant date to be considered when deciding the eligibility of an application seeking a government job on compassionate grounds was the date when it was filed, not the date of the death of the government employee whose dependent had filed the application. Justice Arun Monga passed the order on June 6, while allowing a writ petition by the unmarried sister of a prosecution officer, Karuna Ojha, who died on September 12, 2021. At the time, the Rajasthan Compassionate Appointment Rules did not include an unmarried sister as a dependent eligible for appointment. However, this was modified through an amendment notified on October 28 that year. However, the petitioner, Aruna Ojha's application was rejected on grounds that amendment was not retrospective and that eligibility must be judged as of the date of death, which preceded the notification. Setting aside the impugned order, the court held that the respondents operated under a fundamental misconception. "The circular dated 28.10.2021 came into force with immediate effect, that is, from 28.10.2021 itself. The petitioner was entitled to a period of 90 days from the death of the deceased employee to apply... The circular was already in existence and in force as on the date she made her application," the court noted. The bench directed the competent authority to consider the petitioner's case afresh and extend the benefit of compassionate appointment if she is otherwise found eligible....