Court dismisses allegations of mala fides and statutory violations, affirming administrative discretion in village creation under Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956.
In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the creation of a new revenue village, Khichan Vistar, under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956. The court, presided by Justice Sanjeet Purohit, upheld the state's administrative decision, emphasizing the absence of any proven mala fides or statutory violations.
The petitioner, Satyanarayan Singh Rajpurohit, sought to quash the notification dated December 13, 2025, issued by the Department of Revenue, which sanctioned the formation of Khichan Vistar. The contention was primarily based on alleged violations of the prescribed guidelines regarding the distance between the original village Khichan and the newly created Khichan Vistar. The petitioner argued that the decision was influenced by political considerations and lacked adherence to the statutory framework.
However, the court found that the administrative decision was in compliance with Section 16 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, which empowers the state government to create or alter divisions, districts, and villages for better revenue administration. Justice Purohit noted that the decision was backed by relevant reports and guidelines, which indicated that the distance criteria were met.
The court observed that the authorities conducted a thorough examination, considering various factors such as administrative convenience, territorial contiguity, and future development prospects. It stressed that the decision was not arbitrary or influenced by political pressure, as alleged by the petitioner.
The judgment also highlighted that the petitioner failed to provide any evidence of mala fides or statutory violation. The court reiterated that administrative decisions are primarily within the executive's prerogative and should not be interfered with unless there is clear evidence of malice or breach of legal provisions.
The court's reliance on precedents, including the Supreme Court's rulings in similar cases, reinforced the principle that mere political representation does not invalidate an administrative decision unless proven contrary to law. The decision to create Khichan Vistar was deemed necessary for the village's overall development and was supported by substantial evidence.
In conclusion, the Rajasthan High Court's ruling reaffirms the executive's authority in administrative matters concerning the creation and alteration of revenue villages. The dismissal of the writ petition underscores the necessity for concrete evidence when challenging such decisions, particularly regarding allegations of mala fides or statutory non-compliance.
Bottom line:-
Administrative decisions concerning the creation of new revenue villages under Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956 cannot be invalidated merely based on political influence or speculative inference of mala fides, unless mala fides or statutory violations are affirmatively established.
Statutory provision(s): Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956 Section 16
Satyanarayan Singh Rajpurohit v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan) : Law Finder Doc id # 2923536
