The Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur, in its order dated 12.05.2026 passed by Justice Farjand Ali in S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 21163/2025, allowed the writ petition filed by Lal Singh Chouhan and set aside the order dated 23.09.2025 passed by the District Education Officer (Headquarters), Elementary Education, Banswara, whereby the petitioner, serving as Teacher Grade-III (Level-I), was placed under suspension. The Court also quashed the connected memorandum of charge-sheet of the same date alleging that certain comments made by the petitioner on social media/WhatsApp were inappropriate, in bad taste, and had attempted to tarnish the image of the department and the concerned Minister.

The petitioner was appointed as Teacher Grade-III pursuant to the District Establishment Committee meeting held on 29.05.2003 and had been continuously discharging duties in Panchayat Samiti Ghatol, District Banswara since 2003. The impugned suspension order neither referred to any statutory provision nor recorded any satisfaction warranting such action. The High Court observed that the foundational issue was not the propriety of the alleged comments but the legality and jurisdictional sanctity of the suspension order.

The Court held that suspension is a serious measure having adverse civil consequences and can only be exercised strictly within the confines of law. It noted that Rule 13 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958 governs suspension of government servants and circumscribes both the competent authority and the circumstances for its exercise. The District Education Officer was not the appointing authority of the petitioner and the impugned order did not disclose any statutory source of power. The Court emphasized that in a democratic polity governed by the rule of law, every administrative action affecting civil consequences must trace its legitimacy to a statutory provision. Executive displeasure or perceived embarrassment cannot substitute statutory authorization.

The High Court observed that at the highest, the allegations regarding social media comments may furnish a basis for holding a departmental inquiry in accordance with law, but they do not empower administrative officers to invoke suspension according to subjective satisfaction. It described the action as suffering from patent lack of jurisdiction, colourable exercise of power, and administrative arbitrariness. The District Education Officer, though a statutory functionary, cannot act as a ruler of a dynasty or exercise unfettered executive prerogative. When a statute prescribes a particular manner for doing an act, the same must be done in that manner alone. Administrative convenience or subjective perception cannot supplant mandatory legal requirements.

Accordingly, the High Court quashed the impugned suspension order dated 23.09.2025 and directed the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service forthwith with all consequential benefits in accordance with law. It clarified that if any inquiry is underway, the same may be concluded in accordance with the procedure established by law. No order as to costs was passed.

Case Title: Lal Singh Chouhan v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.
Case No.: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 21163/2025
Court: Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur Bench
Date of Order: 12.05.2026
Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Farjand Ali

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