Principal Secretary Ordered to Explain Delays in Inspection Report Submission for M.R. College of Physiotherapy
In a significant development, the Rajasthan High Court has reprimanded the State of Rajasthan for what it termed as "willful and deliberate non-compliance" with its orders concerning the submission of an inspection report related to M.R. College of Physiotherapy. The decision was rendered by Justice Sanjeet Purohit in the matter of S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 17817 of 2024.
The court had originally directed the State's Additional Advocate General, Mr. N.S. Rajpurohit, to submit the inspection report on November 26, 2024. However, despite repeated reminders and opportunities, the report has not been submitted, causing significant delays in the judicial process. The court noted that this was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of disregard for court orders by the Respondent Department, particularly in matters involving inspection reports of institutions.
Justice Purohit expressed serious concerns over the conduct of the Respondent Department, describing it as a reflection of "absolute disregard and disrespect" for judicial authority. The court's order highlighted a lack of accountability and transparency within the department, which has repeatedly failed to comply with similar court directions in other cases.
In light of this situation, the court has mandated the Principal Secretary of the Medical & Health Department to appear before it on February 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., either in person or via video conferencing. The Principal Secretary is also required to file a personal affidavit detailing the reasons for the delay in compliance with the court's orders and the failure to grant the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the petitioner college in a timely manner.
Legal experts view the court's decision as a stern reminder of the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring government accountability. The case underscores the importance of adhering to judicial directives and the potential consequences of contempt of court.
The court's directive for a personal affidavit from a high-ranking government official signals its intent to hold individuals accountable for bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder judicial processes. The outcome of the forthcoming hearing could set a precedent for how similar cases of non-compliance are addressed in the future.
Bottom Line:
Contempt of court - Willful and deliberate non-compliance with court orders amounts to disrespect and disregard for judicial directions. Lack of accountability and transparency by Respondent Department in complying with court orders.
Statutory provision(s): Contempt of court laws, directives issued by the court on compliance.
M.R. College of Physiotherapy v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan) : Law Finder Doc id # 2855817
