Udaipur, April 18, 2025 - Rajasthan High Court (HC) on Thursday, April 17, ordered the registration of a fresh public interest litigation (PIL) owing to the government failure to implement heatwave protection measures despite it being 10 months of a Court directive towards this. Expressing deep displeasure at the conduct of government officials, the Court said that last year’s instructions had been “put into cold storage.” This, the Court said, raises serious questions about the rule of law and emphasised that non-compliance with judicial orders amounts to contempt.

Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, taking suo motu cognizance of heatwaves and climate change, ordered that a PIL be filed.

The Court directed the Chief Secretary to form a co-ordination committee to implement its orders and draft a concrete action plan for heatwave protection. Additionally, notices were issued to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chief Secretary, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and 10 other officials from both the Central and State governments, asking them to submit responses on the matter. All District Collectors were also asked to submit compliance reports by April 24 regarding the previously issued directions for protecting lives during heatwaves.

The HC observed that officials appear to consider themselves above the law, but the judiciary cannot sit idle with its eyes closed.

“Human beings cannot be treated like animals, and lack of funds cannot be used as an excuse to avoid saving lives,” it said.

The Court asked Additional Solicitor General RD Rastogi, Additional Advocate General Bhuvanesh Sharma, GS Gill, Kapil Prakash Mathur, Sandeep Taneja, Vigyan Shah, and advocates Sushil Daga, Kunal Jaiman, and Kribhuwan Narayan Singh to assist in the matter.

The HC called this case a classic example of bureaucratic obstinacy, adding that the State Government cannot be allowed to cite lack of funds as a reason for not following court orders, especially when it spends heavily on publicity, events, and non-essential activities. It asserted that taxpayers’ money must be used in the public interest.

Source: Media Reports