The Rajasthan High Court has issued a strict directive to the State government to appoint an Administrative Member to the Rajasthan Civil Services Appellate Tribunal at Jodhpur on or before November 30, 2026. The Division Bench comprising Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur and Justice Chandra Shekhar Sharma warned that failure to comply would compel the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan or the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Personnel, to remain present before the court on the next date of hearing, fixed for December 3.
What Prompted The High Court To Issue This Directive?
The court took serious note of the fact that multiple judicial orders passed in the past had not been implemented, leaving the Tribunal without an Administrative Member. Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the absence of such members had rendered the Tribunal virtually non-functional, causing a significant pile-up of pending service matters.
Court's Observations On Non-Compliance
The Bench observed that despite repeated directions, the respondents had failed to make the necessary appointment. The court highlighted that the continued vacancy was directly responsible for the backlog of service appeals, undermining the very purpose of the Tribunal. The judges emphasized that the administration's inaction could not be permitted to paralyze the adjudicatory mechanism.
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Vacancy | Administrative Member, Rajasthan Civil Services Appellate Tribunal, Jodhpur |
Deadline for Appointment | November 30, 2026 |
Consequence of Non-Compliance | Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary (DoP) to appear in person |
Next Date of Hearing | December 3 |
Bench | Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur and Justice Chandra Shekhar Sharma |
The court's order reflects a growing judicial intolerance towards executive inaction in filling tribunal vacancies. By attaching personal accountability to the highest bureaucratic officers, the Bench sought to ensure that the directive translates into concrete administrative action. The matter has been listed for compliance reporting on December 3, when the court will verify whether the appointment has been notified.
Legal practitioners noted that the Jodhpur bench of the Tribunal has been grappling with severe infrastructure and manpower deficits for an extended period. The current vacancy has effectively stalled the hearing of service appeals, leaving government employees without an effective remedy. The High Court's intervention is expected to expedite the selection process, which typically involves the State government and the selection committee constituted under the relevant statutes.
The direction to produce the Chief Secretary or the Additional Chief Secretary marks a significant escalation in the court's supervisory jurisdiction over tribunal administration. It signals that the judiciary will not hesitate to summon top bureaucrats to explain persistent administrative failures. The State government is now expected to accelerate the appointment process to avoid the personal appearance of its senior-most officers.
This development underscores the constitutional obligation of the State to maintain functional adjudicatory bodies. The Tribunal, established to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to civil servants, cannot fulfill its mandate without a complete quorum. The High Court's order serves as a reminder that judicial directions are binding and cannot be disregarded by the executive branch indefinitely.