CWP/19278/2026 on 30 October 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH SHIMLA

CWP No.19278 of 2026.

Decided on : 30

th October

, 2026

Vikas Bhardwaj ...Petitioner.

Versus State of H.P. & Ors. ....Respondents.

Coram:

Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioners: Mr. Vivek Singh Attri, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Sikander Bhushan, Deputy Advocate General.

Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Petitioner was appointed as Multi-Purpose Worker in Rajgarh Forest Division with effect from 18.02.2017. He was posted at Naya Gaon Rest House under Sarahan Range of Rajgarh Forest Division. The documents placed on record clearly point out that respondent-Forest Department has also acknowledged the fact that petitioner is father to two daughters, who are suffering with certain life-threatening diseases. Keeping in view the medical documents and the request so made by the petitioner, the respondents temporarily deputed the petitioner to Nahan Forest Division vide office order dated 27.03.2023 to enable him to look after his daughters, who are statedly under treatment at Dr. Y.S. Parmar Medical College, Nahan. Petitioner’s grievance is to the order dated 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment?

22.10.2026 (Annexure P-15). The said office order has been issued statedly in compliance of order dated 17.07.2026 passed in CWP No. 31/2024, titled Vipin Kumar Guleria vs. State of H.P. and others. In terms of the impugned office order, petitioner's temporary posting order (deputation) to Sehat Nursery of Kamta Range of Nahan Forest Division, issued vide office order dated 27.03.2023, has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

2. Learned Deputy Advocate General has placed on record office instructions dated 30.10.2026 from Conservator of Forests, Nahan Forest Circle. These office instructions convey that petitioner was temporarily deputed to Nahan Forest Division and was performing his duties there. However, his salary was being drawn from Rajgarh Forest Division. Therefore, in compliance to the orders dated 17.07.2026 passed in CWP No. 31/2024, the temporary deployment of the petitioner at Nahan Forest Division has been withdrawn under impugned office order dated 22.10.2026. Office instructions also convey that no vacant post of Multi- Purpose Worker is presently available in Nahan Forest Division. Therefore, petitioner may perform his duties at his original place of posting in Sarahan Range or at a nearby station, as may be considered appropriate, subject to administrative requirements and applicable rules.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in view of the serious medical condition of the petitioner's two daughters, one Naresh, who is currently posted at Forest Rest House, Chirawali in Nahan Forest Division has agreed for mutual transfer vice the petitioner. Therefore, petitioner would be satisfied in case he is permitted to make a representation to the respondents for his retention/adjustment at Nahan Forest Range on mutual basis or at any other appropriate place to be outlined by the petitioner in his representation, with direction to the competent authority to consider and decide the same expeditiously in accordance with law, keeping in view petitioner's circumstances.

4. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of, reserving liberty to the petitioner to represent to respondent No. 2 within two days for his adjustment/retention/appropriate posting. On receipt of the same, the said representation shall be considered in accordance with law, keeping in view the medical condition of petitioner's two daughters, positively within one week thereafter i.e. by or before 09.11.2026.

5. Learned Deputy Advocate General submits that deputation period of the petitioner shall be entered in the service book of the petitioner, as prayed for by him in this writ petition. Let the needful shall be carried out within three weeks in this regard.

The writ petition stands disposed of in the above terms, so also the pending miscellaneous application(s), if any.

Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge 30th October, 2026.

(jai)