JODHPUR, July 23 -- The Rajasthan high court on Tuesday quashed the removal of a panchayat administrator in Tonk district, emphasising the critical need for proper adherence to procedural mandates. Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, while hearing the writ petition of Puranmal Verma, pointed out that numerous cases of Panchayat members' removal across the state have been marred by "failure to adhere to the mandatory provisions and procedures outlined in Rule 22 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996." The court added that "Inquiry Officers are not well-versed with these provisions, leading to errors in their orders." This has resulted in several wrongful removals, and the court stressed the importance of ensuring proper application of the law in these proceedings, it added. Verma, a former Sarpanch of Panwad Gram Panchayat in Panchayat Samiti Devli (Tonk), had been removed from his post as administrator based on alleged financial irregularities. The petitioner contested the dismissal, arguing that the mandated procedure under Rule 22 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules was not followed during the inquiry process. In a review of the case, the court noted that the inquiry had failed to record witness statements or consider relevant documents before the dismissal order was passed. "Only on the basis of the charge sheet and the petitioner's reply, without following the prescribed procedure, the removal order was issued," observed justice Dhand. The court emphasised that in a democratic system, elected representatives must be removed from office only after following due process, especially when their conduct is alleged to be disgraceful. In this case, the mandated steps in Rule 22, including the appointment of an inquiry officer, recording of evidence, and allowing cross-examination, were not followed. As a result, the removal order was quashed. Justice Dhand directed the state government to reconsider the matter and issue a fresh order in line with Rule 22 within three months of receiving the certified copy of the judgment. Moreover, to prevent similar procedural lapses in the future, the court has directed the principal secretary of panchayati raj, divisional commissioners, and district collectors to inform all chief executive officers of panchayat samitis about the importance of strictly following Rule 22 during such proceedings. "This will help prevent similar errors in future orders passed against public representatives," the Court said, ensuring that public representatives are protected from wrongful disqualification. Copies of the order have been directed to be sent to all relevant authorities....