CWP/20021/2026 on 5 November 2026

1. CWP No.19750 of 2026 Saurabh Banyal and others

…..Petitioners

Versus

State of H.P. and another

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. CWP No.19785 of 2026 Manu Kaushal

Versus

State of H.P. and others

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. CWP No.19819 of 2026 Mast Ram and others

…..Petitioners

Versus

State of H.P. and another

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. CWP No.19875 of 2026 Anju Bala and others

…..Petitioners

Versus

State of H.P. and others

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. CWP No.19883 of 2026 Dheeraj Verma and others

…..Petitioners

Versus

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. CWP No.19891 of 2026 Vivek Kumar Sharma

…..Petitioner

Versus

State of H.P. and another

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. CWP No.20021 of 2026 Atul Katoch

…..Petitioner

Versus

State of H.P. and others

.....Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coram

Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioners: M/s Tim Saran, Praveen Chauhan, Tek Chand, Sanjeev Kumar Motta and Abhishek Nagta, in the respective petitions.

For the Respondents: Mr. Y.P.S. Dhaulta, Additional Advocate General. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge

Petitioners seek a direction to the respondents to count their contract services for the purpose of annual increments, seniority, promotion and all other consequential benefits. They seek applicability of the decision rendered in Taj Mohammad and others Versus The State of Himachal Pradesh and others2.

1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 CWP No.2004 of 2017 decided alongwith connected matter on 03.08.2023.

2. It is an admitted position that “Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees Act, 2024” has been quashed and set aside in Devinder Kumar & Ors. Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Anr.3. It is also a matter of record that State of Himachal Pradesh & Anr. Vs. Devinder Kumar & Ors.4 instituted by the State of Himachal Pradesh against the aforementioned judgment, has been dismissed by the Hon’ble Apex Court on 29.07.2026. While dismissing the appeal, the Hon’ble Apex Court granted four months’ time to the State Government to do the needful in terms of the judgment.

3. In view of above, the present writ petitions are disposed of at this stage with direction to the respondents to pass consideration order in accordance with the timeline indicated by the Hon’ble Apex Court. The petitioners are at liberty to seek appropriate remedy for the redressal of their surviving grievances, if any, at an appropriate stage, in case necessity so arises.

3 CWP No. 3361 of 2025 decided a/w connected matters on 25.04.2026 4 Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 24885/2026

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

Jyotsna Rewal Dua November 05, 2026

Judge Mukesh