Rajasthan

In a landmark ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has set aside recovery notices worth several crores of rupees issued by the State Mining Department, holding that conducting drone-based surveys without prior notice to leaseholders is illegal and violates the principles of natural justice. The court made the strong observation that no matter how advanced technology may be, it cannot override basic legal safeguards and procedural fairness guaranteed under law. ‘Secret’ Drone Survey Declared Illegal The verdict came while hearing a petition filed by Bhilwara-based mining leaseholder Tulsi Das Bharwani, who had challenged a recovery notice issued by the department. According to the petition, the Mining Department conducted a drone survey of the leased mining area on November 27, 2025, w...

Jaipur: In a significant shift in policing practice, the Rajasthan Police has decided that photographs and videos of arrested accused persons will no longer be made public. The decision follows strict directions issued by the Rajasthan High Court and has been formalized through an order released late Wednesday night by Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dr. Hawa Singh Ghumaria. The Police Headquarters has clarified that the move is aimed at protecting the privacy, dignity, and human rights of individuals taken into custody. To ensure uniform implementation across the state, a standard operating procedure (SOP) has now been enforced. SOP Implemented in Compliance with High Court Order The SOP has been issued in compliance with an order passed by the Rajasthan High Court,...

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded a thorough investigation into the recruitment examinations conducted in 2024 and 2025 following revelations of an OMR sheet scandal at the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSMSSB). The call comes after several employees linked to the scam were arrested, raising serious concerns about the credibility of the state’s recruitment process. Gehlot’s Criticism of BJP GovernmentGehlot sharply criticized the current BJP-led state government, highlighting systemic irregularities in the Staff Selection Board. In a post on the social media platform X, he noted that the OMR sheet manipulation scandal casts doubts over the fairness of exams conducted under the same staff and system. According to the Special Operations Group (SOG) repo...

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan Meteorological Department (RSMC) has issued a double alert for the state as fog, rain, hailstorms, and strong winds are expected in several regions from 22 to 28 January 2026. Citizens and farmers have been advised to remain cautious amid rapidly changing weather conditions. Key Highlights Western Disturbance to influence Rajasthan’s weather. Alerts for rain and hailstorms in multiple districts. Dense fog expected on 24-25 January in northern districts. Farmers and travelers advised to take precautions. Temperature Overview Over the past 24 hours, Rajasthan largely experienced dry weather, with moderate fog in some areas. Daytime temperatures remained above normal, reducing the chill in most regions. Barmer recorded the highest ma...

Jodhpur: In a significant and thought-provoking judgment, the Rajasthan High Court has reaffirmed that courts should not stand in the way of personal liberty when a marriage has irretrievably broken down. Setting aside an order of the Medta Family Court, the Jodhpur Bench granted legal recognition to a Muslim couple’s mutual divorce, observing sharply that this was a case of “husband and wife agreeing, but the court refusing.” The Case in Brief The case involved Ayesha Chauhan and Wasim Khan, residents of Pali district, who were married in 2022. Soon after the marriage, deep ideological differences emerged, making cohabitation impossible. Following the principles of Islamic law, the couple completed the process of divorce over three tuhar periods and, on August 20, 2024, executed a M...

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government has amended the Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1971, to impose stricter penalties on government employees involved in child marriages. The move, approved in Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, aligns with the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and clearly defines the age of a child as below 21 for males and below 18 for females. Stricter Disciplinary Measures:Under the revised rules, any government employee who participates in, arranges, or conducts a child marriage will face disciplinary action. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel clarified that the amendments explicitly make such participation or facilitation of child marriage a punishable offense for civil servants. Key Decisions from Cabinet Meeting:The cabinet, chaired by Chief ...

Sikar, Rajasthan: The annual Lakhi Mela at Khatushyam Temple is set to begin on February 21, but ahead of the festival, Sikar police have gone into “zero tolerance” mode to ensure law and order during the eight-day event. Late-night raids on hotels and dharamshalas have sent a strong message to potential troublemakers, signaling tighter security than ever before. Police Step Up Security:Ahead of the mela, police and the District Security Taskforce (DST) conducted targeted inspections across the town, detaining 11 suspects and confiscating 7 abandoned motorcycles. Station Officer Pawan Chaubey warned, “Not even a bird will fly in the mela without proper identification.” Devotees are advised to carry their Aadhaar cards, as failure to comply may lead to repeated trips to the police statio...

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan High Court has cleared the way for Panchayat elections to be conducted on schedule, dismissing more than 60 petitions challenging the delimitation and restructuring of local bodies. The court emphasized that these processes are administrative in nature, and judicial intervention at this stage could disrupt the democratic process. Judges Stress Timely ElectionsA division bench comprising Justice Inderjit Singh and Justice Ravi Chirania observed that accepting petitions against delimitation before every election could unnecessarily delay democracy. The court noted that ensuring a time-bound electoral process is a constitutional duty, and no interference should obstruct it. April 15 Deadline Set for ElectionsCiting Supreme Court directives, the bench ord...