Rajasthan High Court Recalls Controversial Road Widening Order
The Rajasthan High Court on Monday took the significant step of recalling its previous directive that mandated the widening of a crucial road connecting Jaipur Airport to Haldighati Circle via Pratap Nagar. The court has now referred the entire matter to a different bench for fresh adjudication, marking a pivotal development in this long-standing dispute.
Conflict of Interest Allegation Leads to Judicial Reversal
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sanjeet Prasad issued this order while hearing multiple petitions filed by residents who stand to be directly affected by the proposed road expansion project. The earlier directive, which was issued on October 13, 2025, had cleared the road project in alignment with Jaipur's 2011 sector plan. This plan specifically envisioned enhanced connectivity from the airport to Pratap Nagar through Haldighati Circle.
However, the project quickly encountered fierce opposition from local residents, many of whom face potential displacement as their homes lie directly along the proposed route. During the latest hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners, Kawal Singh Loha, presented a compelling application that highlighted a potential conflict of interest. Loha submitted that Acting Chief Justice Sharma had previously appeared in the same matter back in 2013 as a designated senior advocate, where he had actually represented petitioners opposing the project.
"On this specific ground, we formally requested the court to recall its earlier order," Loha explained to reporters on Tuesday. The court, taking serious note of this submission, decided to recall its October 2025 order entirely and directed that the case be placed before a different bench for a completely fresh hearing.
Residents' Concerns and Legal Arguments
Prahlad Sharma, counsel representing other petitioners in the case, argued forcefully that the earlier court order had put more than 300 houses at immediate risk of demolition. He emphasized that during the fresh hearing, the petitioners would vigorously contest the authority of civic agencies to alter the road alignment arbitrarily and without proper justification.
"The Jaipur Development Authority and the Jaipur Municipal Corporation cannot simply change the road alignment at their own will or discretion," Sharma stated unequivocally. "There must be proper legal authority and consideration for the people whose lives and homes are being disrupted."
The original 2025 order had also addressed various complex issues related to the road's alignment and execution, noting that different stretches of the proposed road actually fall under the separate jurisdictions of both the JDA and JMC. This administrative division has added another layer of complexity to an already contentious infrastructure project that has divided opinions in Jaipur for years.
What Happens Next?
With the case now being transferred to a different bench, all legal arguments will need to be presented anew. The residents opposing the project have gained a significant temporary reprieve, while authorities seeking to improve Jaipur's infrastructure face renewed legal hurdles. The fresh hearing will likely examine:
- The legal authority of civic bodies to alter road alignments
- The proper procedures for infrastructure projects affecting residential areas
- The balance between urban development and citizen rights
- The specific technical and legal merits of the 2011 sector plan implementation
This development represents a major setback for the road widening project that was initially cleared over a year ago, demonstrating how judicial oversight can significantly alter the course of urban development projects when proper procedures and potential conflicts are brought to light.
