Termination Valid If Job Was Secured Using Certificate From Unrecognised Board: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the termination of a Junior appointed by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd., holding that the employer was justified in terminating the services of a candidate who had secured employment based on a matriculation certificate issued by an unrecognised board. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel remarked that: “As...

Security Deposit Cannot Be Forfeited Without Hearing: Himachal Pradesh High Court Orders Refund Of ₹15.67 Lakh To Contractor

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside an order forfeiting over ₹15 lakh from a contractor's security deposit related to the Kullu Dussehra festival, holding that the action was taken in violation of the principles of natural justice as the contractor was never issued a show-cause notice.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. S. Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj allowed...

HP High Court Quashes FIR Against Shimla Councillor Under Railways Act, Finds No Material Showing Electric Pole Near Track Endangered Safety

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an FIR registered under Section 153 of the Railways Act, 1989 (endangering the safety of persons travelling by railway by wilful act or omission). The Court held that the record did not disclose any unlawful or wilful act by the petitioner that could be said to have endangered the safety of railway passengers.The Court further noted that there was...

Recovery Of RERA Compensation Cannot Be Put On Hold Due To Subsequent Vesting Of Land In State: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that recovery proceedings initiated pursuant to final order of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority cannot be stalled merely because the project land subsequently vested in the State Government under separate revenue proceedings.The Court further clarified that once a RERA order granting monetary relief attained finality, authorities were bound to...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Quashes Preventive Detention Under PITNDPS Act, Cites Non-Application Of Mind

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed a preventive detention order passed under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, holding that the detaining authority failed to independently apply its mind and merely reproduced the proposal submitted by the police.Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi said, "we are of...

Habeas Corpus Plea Cannot Be Maintained For Minor's Custody Between Parents: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has declined to entertain a habeas corpus petition filed by a father seeking production and custody of his minor daughter, holding that in custody disputes between parents, the appropriate remedy lies before the competent Guardian Court.While dismissing a habeas corpus petition filed by a father seeking production and custody of his minor daughter, Chief...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Monthly Digest : January 2026

Nominal IndexIndian Institute of Technology, Mandi (Kamand), H.P. Versus Central Public Works Department & another., 2026 LiveLaw (HP) 01Satish Kumar v/s Gurdial Singh.,2026 LiveLaw (HP) 02Indu Sharma v/s State of H.P. and others.,2026 LiveLaw (HP) 03Bhag Chand v/s State of Himachal Pradesh and others.,2026 LiveLaw (HP)04Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd & another vs...

Fixed-Term Appointments Made Through Due Process Are Not “Backdoor Entries”: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the regularisation policy of Fixed Tenure Appointees in Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, holding that appointments made through a transparent and competitive process could not be characterised as “backdoor entries” merely because they were initially for a fixed term.A Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and...

Police Power To Obtain Handwriting, Signatures Exists Independently Of S.311-A CrPC: HP High Court Dismisses Revision Against CBI Probe

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has dismissed a criminal revision petition challenging the order of the Special Judge holding that the power to obtain handwriting and signatures is an investigative power and not exclusively dependent on Section 311-A CrPC. The Court clarified that treating Section 311-A of CrPC as the sole source of power to obtain specimen signatures and handwriting...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Records 89.99% Case Clearance Rate In 2025, Declares 12 Working Saturdays To Tackle Pendency

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh, under the leadership of the Chief Justice G.S Sandhawalia , has reported significant strides in judicial efficiency, technological reform, and litigant-centric measures during 2025. Despite functioning with a reduced judicial strength, the Court achieved a Case Clearance Rate (CCR) of 89.99% and introduced several structural and digital reforms aimed...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Upholds Amendment Of Plaint To Rectify Khasra Number, Says Cause Of Action Unaffected

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a petition challenging an order allowing amendment of a plaint to correct an erroneous khasra number, holding that such a limited amendment does not alter the cause of action or change the nature of the suit. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel remarked that: “the amendment allowed, being limited and restricted to the change in the number of khasra of the...

State Can't Forfeit EMD After Bid Validity Expires; Show Cause Notice Mandatory: HP High Court Quashes Intas Pharma's Blacklisting

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an order of blacklisting and directed the refund of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to Intas Pharmaceuticals, holding that once the bid validity period has expired, the State cannot penalise a bidder for refusing to extend the bid validity. The Court further held that a three-year debarment has serious civil and adverse consequences and cannot be...