Supreme Court orders Rajasthan to compensate official after political interference

In a New Delhi hearing, the Supreme Court rebuked the Rajasthan government for meddling in a 2018 sanction matter involving a government employee. Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran observed that the joint secretary of the chief minister’s office had sent the case back for reconsideration, implying a bribe had been accepted. The judges emphasized that Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act exists to shield public servants from baseless harassment.

They dismissed the petitioner’s special leave petition, labeling the state’s actions as a clear case of political dictate. The court ordered Rajasthan to pay Rs 1 lakh to the official and to bear costs of Rs 50,000 each in the high court and Supreme Court. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s stance against political pressure on civil servants.