Rajasthan High Court Quashes Arbitrary Removal of Assistant Advocates by JDA

The Rajasthan High Court recently set aside the Jaipur Development Authority’s (JDA) decision to terminate several Assistant Advocates, ruling that lawyers cannot be treated like servants.

The Court observed that while the State has the authority to engage counsel of its choice, such engagements cannot be cancelled at the "whims" of authorities without following due procedure or providing valid reasons.

Since the petitioners' work was certified as satisfactory, their removal was deemed arbitrary and in violation of the principles of natural justice.

The Court directed the JDA to reinstate the advocates and frame a comprehensive policy governing their tenure and eligibility.

[Pratap Singh v. Jaipur Development Authority]