Gujarat Revenue Tribunal President Atulkumar Raval Axed in Major State Administrative Overhaul

In a high-profile administrative shake-up, the Gujarat government has abruptly relieved Shri Atulkumar I. Raval from his post as President of the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal (GRT), bringing his tenure to an immediate end.

The formal notification, issued by the Revenue Department in Gandhinagar and signed by Joint Secretary H.C. Patel, stated that Raval's services were terminated with effect from October 5, 2026. The state invoked statutory powers under Section 4 and Section 20 of the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal Act, 1957, alongside Rule 4(4) of the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal Rules, 1982.

Swift Action Shakes Up Revenue Body

The sudden removal of the tribunal head has sent ripples through legal and administrative circles in the state. While the government notification frames the decision strictly within the ambit of statutory service rules, the development spotlights intense ongoing oversight concerning administrative efficiency and transparency in handling long-pending land and tenancy litigation.

The GRT functions as a premier quasi-judicial appellate body addressing complex land revenue disputes across Gujarat. The abrupt leadership transition underscores the administration's aggressive posture on tightening institutional accountability and resolving operational bottlenecks within key revenue verticals.

Official Transition Underway

Copies of the relieving order have been rapidly dispatched to key administrative offices, including the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, and the Registrar of the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal located in Gota, Ahmedabad, to ensure a seamless administrative handover.