JODHPUR, June 5 -- In a significant observation aimed at systemic reform, the Rajasthan high court on Tuesday urged the state government to establish an Administrative Judicial Academy for officers from the administrative services posted in revenue and appellate revenue courts, noting that many of them adjudicate disputes without formal legal education or training. The court stressed that such an initiative is urgently required to curb procedural violations that often result in injustice. Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand made these remarks while allowing a writ petition filed by 74-year-old Umakant Sharma of Dausa district, who had challenged the decision of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Mahwa, which decreed a revenue suit for partition and permanent injunction without framing issues or recording evidence. The court quashed not only the SDO's order but also the subsequent judgments of the first and second appellate courts, noting that the trial had proceeded in blatant disregard of fundamental civil procedure. Observing that "it is the high time and right time to establish an 'Administrative Judicial Academy' for such Officers of Administrative Services," the court remarked that most presiding officers in the revenue courts are from the Rajasthan Administrative Services and are "neither law graduates nor having acquaintance with the procedure to be adopted by these courts, while deciding the suits, appeals and revision and misc. application etc." The court further noted with concern that such officers often pass judgments without following the mandatory legal process. "On many occasions, this Court has noticed that the revenue courts and their appellate courts commit procedural mistakes in deciding the suits and appeals, without following the mandatory provisions contained under the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). Suits are decided by the revenue courts without framing the issues, without recording the evidence of the parties in the litigation and the appeals are decided by the appellate courts without forming the points for determination," the order said. Justice Dhand stressed that officers must be trained in framing issues, recording evidence, and writing reasoned judgments. "Such training would equip them with practical knowledge of the procedures governing the trial of revenue suits and the adjudication of appeals arising from judgments and orders passed by the Revenue Courts," the Court observed. "Presently, newly appointed judicial officers undergo a year-long training at the State Judicial Academies across the country. then why the Officers posted in the Revenue Courts and the Appellate Revenue Courts should not be sent for such like trainings," the Court asked. Taking note of the larger implications for public confidence in the justice system, the Court warned that the lack of legal understanding among these officers is not merely a technical issue but a threat to fair adjudication. "In an age where justice must not only be done, but seem to be done swiftly and fairly, a well-trained administration is essential and the same is need of the hour," the Court said, adding that the role of such an academy would be "vital in shaping competent, ethical and technology-savvy officers." Directing the state government to act without delay, the high court ordered that a copy of the judgment be sent to the chief secretary, principal secretary (revenue), and principal law secretary of the government of Rajasthan. The government has also been asked to apprise the court about the steps taken in compliance with the directions set out by the high court by the first of September, 2025....