HP High Court Quashes FIR Against Liquor Bottling Unit Over Failure To Affix Holograms, Imposes ₹1 Lakh Penalty Under Excise Act

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the mere failure to affix holograms on liquor bottles does not constitute a criminal offence under Sections 39(1) and 39(2) of the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act, 2011. The Court observed that such omission is specifically covered under Section 43 of the Act, which provides for imposition of a monetary penalty and is compoundable. Accordingly, the Court quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings initiated against the proprietor of a liquor bottling unit...

Using Teachers for Years Without Fair Pay Amounts to 'Begaar': Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the State cannot exploit the services of teachers engaged in government schools for years without extending the benefits due to them, observing that such conduct amounts to "begaar" prohibited by the Constitution. While directing the release of Grant-in-Aid to a Drawing Master who had been serving since 2011, the Court remarked that the Government...

Prisoner's Parole Can't Be Denied Solely Because Six Months Haven't Elapsed Since Previous Release: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that a prisoner's request for parole cannot be rejected solely because six months have not elapsed since the completion of an earlier parole. The Court observed that the Himachal Pradesh Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1968 does not prescribe any such embargo, and therefore, the restriction contained in Paragraph 19.12 of the...

State-Owned Corporations Can't Cite Financial Constraints To Deny Pensionary Benefits: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that State-owned corporations cannot cite financial constraints to deny pensionary benefits to eligible employees and their families, observing that such entities "are nothing but white elephants" if they continue to withhold dues despite settled legal rights. Allowing a writ petition filed by the legal heirs of a voluntarily retired employee, the...

'Motivated': HP High Court Rejects PIL Challenging Procurement Of Infosys Software For Cooperative Bank, Forfeits ₹2 Lakh Deposit

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the State Cooperative Bank's procurement of the Infosys Finacle 10.02.25 Core Banking Software without an independent tendering process, holding that the petition was not a genuine public interest litigation but one driven by business rivalry and a deep-rooted private motive.A Division Bench of Chief...

Supernumerary Posts U/S 20(4) RPwD Act Available Only To Those Who Acquire Disability During Service: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the benefit of adjustment against a supernumerary post under Section 20(4) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is available only to employees who acquire a disability during the course of their service. It ruled that the provision does not extend to persons appointed under the quota reserved for persons with benchmark...

Religious Sentiments Can't Justify Obstruction Of Public Pathway: Himachal Pradesh High Court Orders Removal Of Temple Gate

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that religious sentiments cannot justify unlawful obstruction of a public pathway, observing that "religion cannot be allowed to be used as a tool to subvert the legal process." While directing the removal of an unauthorised gate erected on Government land leading to a temple, the Court ruled that no individual can take the law into their own hands...

LiveLaw Himachal Pradesh High Court Half Yearly Digest: January To June, 2026

Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (HP) 1 to 2026 LiveLaw (HP)84Nominal Index:Indian 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...

NHAI Not A Necessary Party In Motor Accident Compensation Proceedings: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its road contractor are neither necessary nor proper parties in proceedings before a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), as the Tribunal is empowered under Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act to pass an award only against the insurer, owner or driver of the offending vehicle. The Court...

Cheque Dishonoured As 'Old Cheque' After Bank Merger Can Still Attract Section 138 NI Act: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has refused to quash a cheque dishonour complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act merely because the cheque was returned with the endorsement "88–Old Cheque" following the merger of Oriental Bank of Commerce with Punjab National Bank. The Court held that the expression "insufficient funds" under Section 138 is not to be construed narrowly...

Parents Not Liable For Contraband Allegedly Kept By Adult Child At Their House: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that parents cannot automatically be held liable for contraband allegedly kept by their adult child merely because it was recovered from the parents' house. Justice Sandeep Sharma remarked that: “Investigating Agency, after having noticed name of the co-accused Pratibha @ Preeti on envelope containing contraband, had already arrived at conclusion...

State Can't Take Advantage Of Own Wrong To Deny Reinstated Workman Wages Pending Challenge To Labour Court Award: HP High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that State cannot deny a reinstated workman benefits of full last-drawn wages and take advantage of its own wrong by filing a plea challenging the reinstatement award with considerable delay to the detriment of the workman. In doing so the court dismissed the State government's appeal against single judge's order directing it to pay a daily-wage...