General, Vague Allegations Of Dowry Harassment Insufficient To Prove Cruelty Or Abetment Of Suicide: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside the conviction of a husband, his mother, and his brother for offences under Sections 498A and 306 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, on the ground that general, vague and non-specific allegations of dowry harassment are insufficient to establish cruelty or abetment of suicide. The Court further remarked that prosecution in matrimonial disputes must be based on clear particulars, acts, and proof of mens rea, failing which continuation...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Stays Shifting Of Backward Classes Commission Office From Shimla To Dharamshala

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed the State Government's decision to shift the office of the H.P. State Commission for Backward Classes from Shimla to Dharamshala, holding that the decision required closer examination in light of administrative and financial implications. A Division Bench of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawlia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj while hearing a public interest litigation, passed an interim order. The Court noted that the Chairman of the Commission was...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Weekly Round-Up: January 5, 2026 To January 11, 2026

Citations:2025 LiveLaw (HP) 270 to 2025 LiveLaw (HP) 285Nominal Index:Astha Thakur v/s Dhananjay Kanwar.,2025 LiveLaw (HP) 270M/s RK Products through its proprietor Smt. Kusum Mahajan V/s The Chairman Himachal Pradesh.,2025 LiveLaw (HP) 271Abhishek v/s State of H.P..,2025 LiveLaw (HP) 272Veena Devi v/s State of H.P. and Another.,2025 LiveLaw (HP) 273State of H.P. V/s Vinod Kumar...

Elections To Panchayati Raj Institutions Can't Be Deferred Beyond Five-Year Term: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that statutory orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 can't override the authority of the State Election Commission or justify postponement of elections.The Court remarked that elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions must be completed before the expiry of their five-year term, according to Article 243E of the Constitution. A Division...

State Election Commission Cannot Act Unilaterally When Polls Are Deferred Under Disaster Management Act; HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the Election Commission cannot act unilaterally when elections are deferred under the powers exercised by the State Government under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Thus, the Court quashed the final notification constituting Nagar Panchayat Swarghat and directed reconsideration of objections raised by affected residents through a reasoned...

HP Rent Control Act | Wife Alone Succeeds Tenancy If Alive At Tenant's Death; No Further Devolution Permitted: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that upon the death of the original tenant, the right to succeed to the tenancy under the H.P. Urban Rent Control Act is strictly governed by the statutory order of succession. The Court remarked that since the wife was alive and residing with her husband at the time of his death, she alone became the lawful successor to the tenancy and, as...

Revenue Entries Do Not Confer Title; Mere Presence Of Name In Record Creates No Legal Right: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the mere name of a person in the revenue record does not confer ownership or create any enforceable right in respect of immovable property.The Court further remarked that revenue entries are maintained for fiscal purposes and cannot be treated as proof of title. Justice Virender Singh remarked that: “Merely name of defendant No.1 appeared in the...

Arbitration Clause Cannot Be Invoked Once Loan Contract Is Exhausted: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that a civil suit seeking damages for harassment and mental agony on account of non-issuance of a No Objection Certificate could not be linked to the original loan agreement once the loan was fully repaid. The Court remarked that the loan contract had been exhausted upon complete repayment of the loan amount, and therefore, the subsequent claim for...

Home Guards Can't Register Welfare Association Under Societies Act For Service-Related Grievances: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has clarified that there is a distinction between an association formed by employees or volunteers to collectively raise their grievances and a society capable of registration under the Himachal Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2006. The Court remarked that while such groups are often described as “societies,” they do not automatically qualify as...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Quashes ₹16.72 Lakh GST Input Tax Credit Demand After Tax Is Paid

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed a tax demand of Rs 16.72 lakh raised against Shivalik Containers Pvt. Ltd. for the alleged wrongful availment of Input Tax Credit (ITC).The court held that the subsequent payment of tax along with interest by the supplier cannot be ignored while examining the sustainability of a demand raised against the recipient, even if such compliance takes...

Father Need Not Prove Financial Dependency To Claim Compensation As Legal Representative Under MV Act: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal can't deny compensation to the father of the deceased on the ground that he was not financially dependent on his son.The Court further clarified that a father, being a legal representative, is entitled to compensation and estate of the decased, irrespective of dependency. Even when dependency is not proved...

Plea Of Delay U/S 29A A&C Act Cannot Be Used Selectively By NHAI When Extensions Granted In Similar Land Acquisition Cases: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the National Highway Authority of India could not be permitted to raise the plea of delay and laches to defeat continuation of arbitral proceedings when extensions had already been granted and proceedings concluded in the cases of other similarly placed landowners. The court remarked that, having participated in the proceedings for almost nine years,...