IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 16267 of 2025 Decided on: 15th October, 2025 Vikas Lakhanpal …..Petitioner Versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others .....Respondents ___________________________________________________________ Coram Hon’ble Mr.Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge Whether approved for reporting? For the Petitioner : Mr. Vikrant Thakur, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, Additional Advocate General. ___________________________________________________________ Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (oral): Issue notice. Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, learned Additional Advocate General, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. 2. With the consent of the parties, the petition is being disposed of at this stage itself. 3. By way of this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for following relief:- 1.Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 “Issue an appropriate writ in the nature of mandamus, directing the respondents to give effect to and act upon the Committee reports dated 30.12.2023, 06.03.2024 and 24.04.2025, which conclusively establish the possession and ownership of the petitioner’s predecessor-in-interest since 1910-11, and to finalize the set6tlement proceedings accordingly without any further remand or delay.” 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that interest of justice would be served in case the petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent concerned i.e., respondent No.2 to finalize the settlement proceedings expeditiously. 5. Without making any observation on the merits of the settlement proceedings, this petition is disposed of with the direction that the settlement proceedings be taken to their logical conclusion as expeditiously as possible and preferably within a period of six months from today. Pending miscellaneous application (s), if any, also stand disposed of. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge 15th October 2025 (meera)