India, June 3 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that married daughters cannot be excluded from compassionate appointment and their omission from the definition of "family" is manifestly arbitrary, unjustified and constitutionally untenable.

A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe made the observation while setting aside an order of the Allahabad High Court that held the definition of "family" doesn't include a married daughter for the purpose of compassionate appointment.

The top court was hearing an appeal filed by a woman, a married daughter of a deceased dealer, who challenged an order of the high court that rejected her claim for appointment as a fair price shop dealer on compassionate grounds.

The woman challen...