Himachal Pradesh Water Cess Revived? High Court Stays Coercive Action On ₹16.32 Crore Demand Against Punjab Power Corporation

The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue (Special Assessment) Amendment Rules, 2025, and consequential actions including a demand of ₹16.324 crore raised on the Corporation.Justice Vivek Singh...

Delay In Investigation Not A Ground To Quash Corruption FIR Unless Accused Shows Prejudice To Fair Trial: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that an FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be quashed merely on the ground of delay in investigation or filing of the charge-sheet, unless the accused demonstrates that such delay has caused prejudice affecting a fair trial. Dismissing a petition seeking quashing of corruption proceedings arising from alleged irregularities in...

ITBP Constable's Removal For Affair With Superior Officer's Wife Disproportionate; Compulsory Retirement Appropriate Penalty: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the punishment of removal from service imposed on an ITBP constable for maintaining a consensual illicit relationship with the wife of his superior officer was disproportionate in the peculiar facts of the case. Noting that the superior officer had also faced disciplinary proceedings and was found guilty of recording the sexual act on his laptop...

Himachal Pradesh High Court Takes Note Of News Report On 'Rave Party' In Kasol, Orders Spot Inspection

Taking serious note of a newspaper report regarding an alleged large-scale 'Rave Party' happening at Kasol (Kullu District), the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently ordered a spot inspection by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kullu, at the suspected site. A bench of Justice Romesh Verma instructed the DLSA Secretary to conduct the inspection with the assistance...

Workman With 240 Days Of Continuous Service, Termination Without Notice Is Illegal : HP HC

A Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi held that termination of a workman who has completed 240 days of continuous service without complying with disciplinary proceedings or notice is illegal, and abandonment of service cannot be presumed in such case. Background Facts The respondent was engaged as...

HP High Court Affirms 2-Year Service Extension For Indira Gandhi NSS National Awardee Teachers In Himachal Pradesh

A Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi held that a teacher who received a national award (Indira Gandhi NSS Award) from the President of India is entitled to the benefit of two years' extended service/salary increment, and the State cannot deny it based on the award being under a...

HP High Court Bars MLAs From Voting In Municipal President, Vice-President Elections; Says They Have No Such Right Under Law

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that ex-officio members, including Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), do not possess a right to vote in elections for the offices of President and Vice-President of Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats. Passing an interim order, the Court observed that the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 and the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Election...

Wrong Batch Numbers On Liquor Bottles Due To Labelling Error Can't Attract Illegal Transport Charge Under Excise Act: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against the proprietor of a liquor bottling unit accused of illegally transporting Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), holding that transportation of 400 cases under a valid permit could not attract prosecution under Section 39 of the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act merely because some bottles bore incorrect batch numbers due to...

Executive Magistrate Can Order Removal Of Obstruction From Long-Used Village Path Without Deciding Title Dispute: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has upheld an order passed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kalpa, directing removal of an obstruction from a pathway allegedly used by villagers for decades, holding that the Magistrate had merely protected an existing right of user under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and had not adjudicated any question of ownership.The Court observed...

Approaching DGP Instead Of Officer-In-Charge Of Police Station Does Not Satisfy Section 154 CrPC: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an FIR and a Magistrate's order passed under Section 156(3) CrPC, holding that a complainant cannot directly approach the Magistrate without first complying with the mandatory requirement under Section 154(1) CrPC of furnishing information to the officer-in-charge of the concerned police station.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Rakesh Kainthla...

Supreme Court Collegium Approves Appointment Of Three Judicial Officers As Judges Of Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium has approved the appointment of three judicial officers as judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.In a resolution passed by the Collegium, the names of judicial officers Chirag Bhanu Singh, Bhupesh Sharma, and Yogesh Jaswal were cleared for elevation to the High Court...

Ad Hoc Promotion Made In Excess Of Quota, As Stop-Gap Arrangement, Doesn't Confer Any Right To Claim Seniority: Himachal Pradesh High Court

A Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi held that ad hoc promotion made in excess of prescribed quota and as a stop-gap arrangement does not confer any right to claim seniority from the date of such ad hoc service.Background Facts The appellant was an employee of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity...