The Rajasthan High Court has issued notice on a plea challenging the jurisdiction of the Department of Law and Legal Affairs to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a legal officer posted with the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), and stayed the operation of two chargesheets issued against him.

The bench of Justice Anuroop Singhi was hearing a petition filed by Narendra Kumar Arya, challenging the chargesheets dated July 30, 2026 issued by the Principal Secretary, Department of Law and Legal Affairs.

The petitioner contended that since he was posted with the JDA and was not under the direct administrative control of the Department of Law and Legal Affairs, the chargesheets suffered from lack of jurisdiction and competence of the issuing authority.

The first chargesheet related to proceedings initiated by the petitioner against Gaurav Kumar Gupta, which culminated in an order dated May 18, 2026 discontinuing Gupta's services. According to the petitioner's submissions, the termination order was passed with the final approval of the JDA Commissioner.

The petitioner contended that the termination order had itself been challenged by Gupta before the High Court and that the matter remained sub judice.

The second chargesheet related to alleged non-compliance with an order dated March 25, 2026 passed by a coordinate Bench of the High Court in another matter.

The petitioner pointed out that the JDA had challenged the March 25 order before a Division Bench by filing a special appeal. An interim order dated August 5, 2026 had stayed the effect and operation of the March 25 order. On this basis, it was submitted that the issue underlying the second chargesheet was also sub judice.

The petitioner further contended that both chargesheets had been issued by the Principal Secretary, Department of Law and Legal Affairs, despite him being posted with the JDA and not being under the Department's direct administrative control. It was therefore argued that the issuing authority lacked jurisdiction and competence.

Reliance was also placed on Section 78 of the Jaipur Development Authority Act, 1982, which provides protection to the authority in respect of anything done lawfully and in good faith with due care and attention.

While taking note of the contentions, the Court issued notices, and put a stay on the effect and operations of the charge sheets issued against the petitioner.

Title: Narendra Kumar Arya v State of Rajasthan & Ors.

Counsel for Petitioner(s): Mr. Sunil Samdaria with Mr. Arihant Samdaria

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