2025:HHC:1821-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA CWP No. 4347 of 2020 Decided on : 08.01.2025 Sapna @ Sapna Devi. …Petitioner Versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others. …Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Mr. Daleep Singh Kaith, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, Additional Advocate General. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) By way of this writ petition, the petitioner approached this Court, praying for the following reliefs:- “i) That writ of certiorari may kindly be issued, quashing and setting aside the selection and appointment of Respondent No. 7 to the post of Panchayat Chowkidar in Gram Panchayat Gawalpur, Development Block Karsog, Tehsil Karsog, District Mandi, H.P. (ii) That writ of mandamus may kindly be issued, directing the respondents to conduct fresh interview to the post of 1Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2025:HHC:1821-DB Panchayat Chowkidar in Gram Panchayat Gawalpur, Development Block Karsog, Tehsil Karsog, District Mandi, H.P. by calling all the candidates who have applied for the aforesaid post and further the Respondent No. 6 may not be included in the Selection Committee and the Secretary of some other Gram Panchayat be ordered to be associated as one of the Members of the Selection Committee so that the selection and appointment of Panchayat Chowkidar is made in a fair and transparent manner as well as on the basis of fulfillment of eligibility criteria by the contesting candidates as set by the Government and on the basis of their merit.” 2. When this case was listed on 09.12.2024, the following order was passed:- “Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that during the pendency of the writ petition subsequent developments have taken place on the basis of the complaint that was filed by the petitioner and inquiry was held by the respondents and the appointment of respondent No.7 has been set aside. He further submits that despite the fact that the Authority has directed to hold fresh interviews for appointment against the post in issue, till date, nothing has been done by the Authority. Learned Additional Advocate General to have instructions as to why fresh interviews are not being 3 2025:HHC:1821-DB convened. As prayed for, list on 23.12.2024.” 3. Today, learned Additional Advocate General has handed over a copy of instructions, dated 03.01.2025, received from Panchayati Raj Department, which are taken on record. The following is mentioned in the said instructions:- “In above context, it is submitted that in order to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process of Panchayat Chowkidars in Gram Panchayats, a conscious decision has been taken by the respondent department to change the existing Selection Committee as well as guidelines related to selection and appointment of Panchayat Chowkidars in Gram Panchayats and subsequently, instructions have been issued to all the Gram Panchayats, vide letter dated 15.06.2023 (Annexure R- I), that no new appointment be made in terms of guidelines dated 09.05.2017, related to appointment of Panchayat Chowkidars, till further orders. The proposed revised guidelines for Selection and Appointment of Panchayat Chowkidars and their duties are under consideration with the respondent department and as such, no fresh interviews are being convened by concerned Gram Panchayats.” 4 2025:HHC:1821-DB 4. In the light of the said new developments, as now nothing survives in this petition for adjudication, as prayed for, this writ petition is closed and disposed of. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge January 08, 2025 (Shivank Thakur)