IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 5612 of 2024. Decided on: 13.5.2026. Amit Katoch and others .…Petitioners. Versus State of HP and another … Respondents. …………………………………………………………………………………… Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioners. : Mr. Mandeep Chandel, Advocate. For the respondents. : Mr. Rajpal Thakur, Additional Advocate General. Ajay Mohan Goel, J (Oral) By way of this writ petition, the petitioners have prayed, inter alia, for the following reliefs:- “i) That this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue the writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or directions to the respondent to grant the benefit of contract service for the all purposes and other consequential including as qualifying service for pensionary benefit and other benefits, being patently illegal and arbitrary besides the same being in violation to the settled law of the land; ii) That this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue the writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or direction the respondent to grant the benefits under CAS (Career Advancement Scheme) after taking into consideration the entire contract services as per the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide judgment passed in case titled as The Mahatma 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Gandhi University ad other vs. Rinchymol Mathew Civil Appeal No. 8031 of 2022.” 2. This writ petition is disposed of by issuance of a direction to the respondents to decide the representation filed by the petitioners in light of the judgments referred therein, within a period of eight weeks’ from today, more so in light of the fact that the Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees Act, 2024 has been declared as ultra virus by the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court, vide judgment dated 25.4.2026, passed in CWP No. 3361 of 2025 and connected matters. As far as other reliefs prayed for by the petitioners are concerned, they are at liberty to approach the Court qua the said reliefs later on, as and when advised. 4. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge 13th May, 2026 (Guleria) 2