Rajasthan HC Orders Suspension of Tehsildar and Patwari for Admitting Encroachments Persist Despite Court Orders

The Rajasthan High Court directed suspension of two revenue officers at Nadoti, Karauli, after they admitted in open court that encroachments remained despite repeated removal orders.

A Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Jaipur, led by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma, on 2 July 2026 ordered the immediate suspension of Mr. Deen Dayal Sharma, Tehsildar, Nadoti, Karauli, and Mr. Bharat Singh Gurjar, Patwari, Nadoti, Karauli. Both officers appeared in person and openly admitted before the court that encroachments had not been removed, even after a sequence of prior orders directing their removal. The bench described their conduct as showing “no regard for the Court's orders” and referred their matter to the Revenue Secretary for departmental action. The suspension is to operate until those proceedings are concluded.

A Running Battle Against Repeat Encroachers

The writ petition, filed by Roopraj Prajapat, son of Kishore Prajapat, has been pending since 2019. By April 2026, the matter had reached a stage where the court was dealing not merely with the original grievance but with the failure of State revenue machinery to enforce its own orders.

On 27 April 2026, the bench observed that encroachers had been characterised as “rank encroachers” because, even after being removed multiple times, they had returned and re-occupied the area. The court on that date directed respondent No. 5 to submit a compliance report and warned that if encroachments were not removed by 30 April 2026, further directions would follow.

On 30 April 2026, the bench found that the order of 27 April 2026 had not been complied with. It directed the Tehsildar and the Patwari to file explanations and listed the matter for 20 May 2026. The Registry, for reasons the court did not explain in the order, failed to list the case on that date, causing a further delay before the matter came up on 2 July 2026.

Officers Admit Non-Compliance in Open Court

When the matter was called on 2 July 2026, both the Tehsildar and the Patwari were present in person. Far from producing a compliance report, they admitted that encroachments still existed on the ground and sought a further seven days to remove them.

The bench recorded its reaction plainly. The officers' admission, the court noted, showed they had no regard for its orders. At the same time, they appeared to have failed in the basic duty of their office — removing encroachments that they knew had been repeatedly carried out on the same land.

The bench considered initiating contempt proceedings but chose not to go that route. Instead, it treated the officers' failure to discharge their statutory duties as the more immediate and actionable wrong, warranting departmental action rather than contempt.

Revenue Secretary Directed to Act; SHO Brought In

The bench directed the Revenue Secretary to immediately initiate departmental proceedings against both officers. Pending those proceedings, both Mr. Deen Dayal Sharma and Mr. Bharat Singh Gurjar were placed under suspension.

The court also brought the local police into the picture. Mr. G.S. Gill, Additional Advocate General, appearing for the State, was directed to issue instructions to the Station House Officer of the concerned village to ensure that encroachments are removed immediately. The Additional Advocate General was also directed to convey these instructions to other revenue authorities in the area.

A general direction was added: if any other encroachments remain in the area, those too shall be removed. A compliance report is to be submitted to the court before the next date of hearing.

Outcome

The bench ordered the following on 2 July 2026:

• The Revenue Secretary is to immediately take departmental action against Tehsildar Deen Dayal Sharma and Patwari Bharat Singh Gurjar, both of Nadoti, Karauli.
• Both officers are placed under suspension with immediate effect, to continue until departmental proceedings are concluded.
• The Additional Advocate General is directed to convey instructions to the concerned SHO and other revenue authorities to remove all remaining encroachments immediately.
• A compliance report is to be placed before the court before the next listing.
• The matter is listed for further hearing on 8 July 2026.