Rajasthan High Court stays financial recovery action against Assistant Engineer Indraj as no departmental inquiry was conducted, and asks for clarification from Panchayati Raj Department Secretary, Dausa District Head and District Council CEO
Opposition alleges that during 2014‑2018, recovery orders were issued in Balahera village panchayat over alleged irregularities in development and construction work; Panchayati Raj Department cited faults and ordered Indraj to deposit amount, warning disciplinary action if not paid
Legal arguments
Advocate Premchand Devanda for Indraj says recovery was started without following the procedure prescribed under Rajasthan Civil Service Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1958
Petition also states that nearly ten years later, the then sarpanch, panchayat secretary and other staff were suddenly held personally liable, while Indraj claims no construction faults occurred
Court order
Single‑judge bench of Justice Anup Kumar held that service rules and principles of natural justice must be observed before assigning financial liability to a public servant, and therefore imposed an interim stay on the recovery
Further action will be decided based on departmental response and court proceedings
- Opposition claim: No departmental inquiry was conducted
- Financial recovery directions for 2014‑2018 development works
- Court seeks clarification from Panchayati Raj Department