Rajasthan High Court orders youth community service under ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ in rash driving case
The court noted that the bail on condition would be an “extended interpretation of the provisions of community service” under the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita.
Rajasthan High Court called the order a “reformative approach to reinclude the accused-applicants back in the society with a better vision, aim and zeal in life”.
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The Rajasthan High Court recently directed a 20-year-old man accused in a rash driving and attempt to murder case to “contribute to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” for a period of two months for two hours everyday as community service.
Justice Sameer Jain while allowing his bail plea of the man accused of rash driving and various other offences on November 28 said that the provisions of ‘community service’ as enshrined under the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita are “a reformative approach to reinclude the accused-applicants back in the society with a better vision, aim and zeal in life.”
The court was hearing the bail plea of Bhanu alias Pramod in a case registered in Dholpur for the offence under Sections 112(2) (petty organised crime), 281 (rash driving), 132 (assault of a public servant), 109(1) (attempt to murder), 303 (2) (second or subsequent conviction of theft) of BNS and provisions of Wild Protection Act, Rajasthan Forest Act.
Findings and ruling
Applicant is not having any criminal antecedents; trial will take a long time.
Accused should contribute to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – initiative of the government, for a period of two months from the date of enlarging on bail, on two hours per day basis, as an honorary work.
He should work under the supervision and directions of the police official concerned and with the directions of the municipal corporation or local administrative authorities concerned.
The court further noted that the bail on condition would be an “extended interpretation of the provisions of community service” under the Bhartiya Nayay Sanhita.
The order called it a “reformative approach to reinclude the accused-applicants back in the society with a better vision, aim and zeal in life”.
The man was directed to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of Rs 25,000 and asked to appear before the trial court on all the dates of hearing as and when called upon to do so.
Arguments
Advocates Dushyant Jain and Udit Sapra, counsel for the accused told the court that their client is a young boy with no criminal antecedents. They submitted that he has been behind the bars since October 10, 2025.
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The counsel also said that the co-accused juvenile has already been enlarged on bail.
Opposing these submissions, public prosecutors Rhishi Raj Singh Rathore and Arti Sharma said he should not be released on bail.
What is Swacch Bharat Abhiyan?
One of the first programmes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he took office in 2014, Swacch Bharat Mission aimed to promote cleanliness, especially in public places.
The scheme completed 10 years on October 2, 2014. The PM, while announcing the drive, had said, “A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.”
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The mission was divided into two distinct categories- one for rural and another for urban areas. These are executed by the union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs respectively.
Vineet Upadhyay is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, where he leads specialized coverage of the Indian judicial system.
Expertise
Specialized Legal Authority: Vineet has spent the better part of his career analyzing the intricacies of the law. His expertise lies in "demystifying" judgments from the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and District Courts. His reporting covers a vast spectrum of legal issues, including:
Constitutional & Civil Rights: Reporting on landmark rulings regarding privacy, equality, and state accountability.
Criminal Justice & Enforcement: Detailed coverage of high-profile cases involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), NIA, and POCSO matters.
Consumer Rights & Environmental Law: Authoritative pieces on medical negligence compensation, environmental protection (such as the "living person" status of rivers), and labor rights.
Over a Decade of Professional Experience: Prior to joining The Indian Express, he served as a Principal Correspondent/Legal Reporter for The Times of India and held significant roles at The New Indian Express. His tenure has seen him report from critical legal hubs, including Delhi and Uttarakhand. ... Read More
