2025:HHC:2631 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA. CWPIL No. 4 of 2025 Decided on: 10.01.2025 Sumeet Thakur .......Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and Others ...Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Satyen Vaidya, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Mr. Neeraj Kumar Shashwat and Mr. Dixit Sahotra, Advocates. For the respondents: Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr. Pranay Pratap Singh, Additional Advocate General, for respondents/State. Mr. Ankush Dass Sood, Senior Advocate with Mr. Arjun Lall, Advocate, for respondents No.2 and 4. G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice (Oral) The prayer in the present Petition is for removal of EVMs and other election related material from the premises of the Government Degree College, Kullu and other Education institutions in the State of Himachal Pradesh. 1 Whether the reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2025:HHC:2631 2. Mr. Arjun Lall, Advocate, has put in appearance on behalf of respondents No.2 and 4, on account of having the advance copy. 3. It has been pointed out that only on account of an Election petition bearing Election Petition No.2 of 2024 having been filed before this Court, the EVMs had to be kept in safe custody. It is submitted that in the said Petition, an application was filed for release of EVM/VVPATs to the respective Mandi Parliamentary Constituency, Himachal Pradesh and that necessary application was allowed only on 25th of November, 2024. 4. It is submitted that thereafter respondent No.4 passed a necessary order to open the strong rooms located in the building of Government Degree College, Kullu in the presence of District Election Officer, in view of the directions issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, that the strong rooms be opened and the said EVMs be shifted to the warehouse. It is pointed out from the compliance report, as such, dated 10.01.2025 from the District Election Officer (DC), Kullu, District Kullu (H.P) to the Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh goes on to show that the EVMs and VVPATs have been 2025:HHC:2631 taken out from the Govt. Degree College, Kullu and shifted to District warehouse, Kullu on 13th December, 2024. 5. Keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the considered opinion that the present petition has been rendered infructuous. In view of the affirmative action taken by the concerned respondents, we do not issue any further directions as argued by counsel for the petitioner other than the directions, as sought for, in the petition. 6. The petition stands disposed of as rendered infructuous. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stands disposed of. ( G.S. Sandhawalia ) Chief Justice January 10, 2025 ( Satyen Vaidya ) (Ankit) Judge