The Rajasthan High Court has directed the commercial taxes department to release the full salary and arrears within seven days to one of its officers who has been in a coma for over a year. Justice Ravi Chiraniya issued the order after hearing a plea filed by the officer's wife.

Surendra Singh Chawra, an assistant commercial tax officer from Bhilwara, had been appointed to the department in 2006 and promoted over the years. On August 7, 2023, he suffered a brain hemorrhage and underwent surgery, subsequently slipping into a coma. Chawra has remained in that state since then.

The department continued to pay Chawra's salary for a year following the incident, until August 2024, utilizing his pending leaves and other administrative entitlements. However, after that period, his salary was stopped, and he was classified as "on leave without pay".

Chawra was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his wife, two children, and parents. Concerned about the family's difficult situation, Justice Chiraniya instructed the department to resolve any administrative obstacles preventing the release of Chawra's salary. The judge stated that the family is facing heavy medical expenses and questioned how they would survive if the salary was not paid, emphasizing the adverse effects of even a month's salary delay. The High Court order specifically instructed that the outstanding payment be ensured within the next seven days, especially with Diwali approaching.