Raj HC orders absent petitioner to plant 21 trees

Jaipur: In an unusual order, the Rajasthan High Court has directed an absent petitioner to plant 21 "shady trees" within a month, following his failure to appear before it regarding a case challenging his dismissal from service by the state's irrigation department.

Justice Anoop Dhand issued the directive on April 7, after the petitioner, identified as Sitaram, 38, from Bada Gaon in Dholpur district, remained unrepresented for his case before the single bench. The bench noted that since Sitaram was unrepresented, he was likely unaware of the court's decision. Consequently, the court ordered that a copy of the ruling be sent to his residential address.

Sitaram initially approached the high court in 2018, seeking to overturn a 2008 decision by a labour court from Bharatpur that upheld his dismissal from the irrigation department, where he had worked since 1986. The labour court dismissed his claim after he failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate his argument that the dismissal was illegal.

In a surprising turn, Justice Dhand opted against imposing a financial penalty for the petitioner's negligence. Instead, he emphasised the importance of contributing to environmental sustainability, stating that the tree-planting initiative serves the greater public good.

Justice Dhand stated that this order aims to ensure a cleaner, oxygen-rich environment for future generations. "This is a small order but it is aimed at ensuring a clean and oxygen-rich environment for future generations," the court said.

Justice Dhand noted that the court would have imposed monetary cost on the petitioner but, in the larger interest of public, deems it appropriate to use that cost for the greater public good.

The court mandated that Sitaram plant the saplings and submit photographic evidence of their care every quarter — in June, Sept, Dec and March — along with a newspaper photo of the day, until the conclusion of his claim petition.

Sitaram has now been given a final opportunity to present evidence regarding his dismissal before the labour court, contingent on his compliance with the tree-planting order.