Acquittal No Bar to Crime: HC Upholds Lambardar Appointment
The Punjab and Haryana High Court delivered a significant verdict on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, clarifying the criteria for selecting village lambardars. The court ruled that even an acquittal in a criminal case does not guarantee suitability for the post.
The judgment upheld the appointment of a candidate with a clean criminal record over another who had been acquitted of charges. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining an unblemished reputation for those holding such positions of authority.
The High Court found the Financial Commissioner’s decision to favour the candidate with a clean record to be legally sound and justified. This ruling sets a crucial precedent, underscoring the need for stringent background checks for village leadership roles.
This decision has far-reaching implications for rural governance in Punjab and Haryana. It reinforces the importance of selecting individuals of impeccable character to lead their communities, thereby promoting transparency and accountability at the grassroots level. The ruling will likely influence future lambardar selection processes across the states.
