Minor offenses, major win: Court reinstates disabled worker

In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court ordered the reinstatement of a differently-abled sanitation worker, Shravan, 26. He had been dismissed by the Rawatsar municipality in August 2018, following a police verification that revealed past criminal cases. Shravan, who has a 70% permanent disability due to dwarfism, had convictions for gambling and an acquittal in an Excise Act case, all incurred while he was a minor.

The division bench of Justice PS Bhati and Justice Sandeep Shah overturned a single-bench decision that had previously dismissed Shravan's petition for reinstatement. The court emphasized that individuals who committed offenses as minors should not face disqualification from government employment. The nature of the post, a sweeper, was also considered in conjunction with the appellant's minor status at the time of the offenses.

This landmark verdict ensures Shravan is treated as if he had been in continuous service, securing his employment. The High Court's decision upholds the principle that past transgressions during minority, particularly minor offenses, should not permanently bar an individual from public service, offering a crucial protection for young offenders.