The Rajasthan High Court, sitting as a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma, passed an order on 4 July 2026 directing the Revenue Secretary to initiate departmental proceedings against the Tehsildar and Patwari of Khedli village in Karauli district. The Court found that the two revenue officials had failed to remove illegal encroachments on government land despite multiple judicial directions to that effect and had not offered any explanation for their inaction.
The matter originated from a petition filed by Roopraj Prajapat against the State of Rajasthan and others, in which the petitioner sought the removal of encroachments affecting public property. The Court had previously issued several orders requiring the concerned revenue authorities to clear the encroachments within a stipulated time. When the officials did not comply, the Court sought explanations from them. Instead of providing a satisfactory reply, the Tehsildar and Patwari admitted the existence of encroachments and requested an additional seven days to effect their removal.
The bench characterised this conduct as showing a lack of regard for the Court’s authority and as being disrespectful. It observed that the officials’ admission of the encroachments coupled with their request for further time demonstrated that they were not performing their statutory duties and were indifferent to the judicial directions issued in the case.
In view of the foregoing, the Court held that the officials were guilty of dereliction of duty and ordered the Revenue Secretary to initiate departmental proceedings under the relevant service rules. The Tehsildar and Patwari were directed to remain suspended from their posts until the conclusion of those proceedings. The suspension is intended to ensure that the inquiry proceeds without interference and to uphold the dignity of the Court’s orders.