2025:HHC:37816 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA CWP No. 17399 of 2025 Decided on : 11.11.2025 Hindustan Scouts And Guides Association through its National Chairman Bharat Arora …Petitioner Versus Chief Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and others …Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Mr. Vikas Rathore, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, Additional Advocate General. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) By way of this writ petition, the petitioner has, inter alia, prayed for the following reliefs:- “(a) Issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents to grant recognition to the Petitioner Organization for conducting scouting and guiding activities in the state of Himachal Pradesh; (b) Issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents 1Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2025:HHC:37816 to bring necessary amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Secondary Education Code; (c) Issue a Writ of Mandamus to the Respondents with a direction to provide all facilities which are being provided to Bharat Scouts and Guides' like for States Branch for Training under the Banner of Petitioner's Organization and for providing space for training camps, and providing all the facilities” 2. Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioner cannot approach this Court seeking a mandamus to the effect that the respondent-Government should recognize the petitioner- Organization for conducting scouting and guiding activities in Government Schools in the State of Himachal Pradesh. 3. The petitioner being a registered Society is always free to undertake the activities which it can legally undertake, but the petitioner cannot force the Government to recognize its activities as is being prayed in the petition. It is not the contention of the petitioner that the State Government is preventing the petitioner-Organization from conducting scouting and guiding activities in the State of Himachal Pradesh, but the 3 2025:HHC:37816 contention of the petitioner is that it should also be allowed to undertake these activities in Government Schools. This prayer cannot be construed favorably because it is the prerogative of the State Government to see as to how best it is to run such institutions and entities like the petitioner cannot claim any legal right to conduct these activities in Government Schools. 4. Accordingly, this petition is closed. However, as the petition is not being entertained by the Court for the reason that in the considered view of the Court no mandamus, as prayed for, can be issued, the petitioner can otherwise take up the matter with the State Government and pursue the State Government with regard to its cause. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge November 11, 2025 (Shivank Thakur)