Telangana High Court
Landmark
|Monday, 23 February 2026CAT Cuttack Rules in Favor of Budhia Muduli for Rehabilitation Appointment Against Railway Board (2026) held that The court held that the Railway Board must consider Budhia Muduli's application for rehabilitation despite his status as a grandson of the land loser, ensuring compliance with established legal precedents.
Budhia Muduli sought appointment under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme after his land was acquired for a railway project. His application was initially rejected on the grounds that he was not the direct land loser but the grandson of the land owner. The court ultimately ruled that the Railway Board must comply with previous orders to consider his case, emphasizing the need for equal treatment under the law. The decision reinforces the applicability of rehabilitation policies to cases where land was acquired prior to the policy's enactment.
The court held that the Railway Board must consider Budhia Muduli's application for rehabilitation despite his status as a grandson of the land loser, ensuring compliance with established legal precedents.
The ruling emphasized that discrimination based on familial status in rehabilitation cases violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality before the law.
The decision clarified that the 2010 policy applies to individuals whose land was acquired before its enactment, thereby extending eligibility for rehabilitation.
Initial order directing consideration of Budhia's application
Rejection of Budhia's claim for rehabilitation appointment
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Disposal of OA No. 13/2020 challenging rejection
Final judgment delivered
