2026:HHC:15817 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.7236 of 2026 Decided on: 11.05.2026 Lata Katoch … 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. Vikrant Thakur, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Rahul Thakur, Deputy Advocate General, for respondents No.1 and 2. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) Notice confined to respondents No.1 and 2 only. Mr. Rahul Thakur, learned Deputy Advocate General, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 and 2. 2. The petitioner is aggrieved by transfer order dated 28.04.2026 (Annexure P-1), in terms whereof, she has been transferred from GPS Samana (Bhawarna) to GPS Kharti (Palampur). On a query put to learned Counsel for the petitioner, he informed the Court that the petitioner has already completed three years and six months service at the present place of posting. However, he submits that transfer of the petitioner is on the basis of a D.O. Note and the same has been effected when the ban on transfers stands imposed on account of ensuing Panchayat Elections and the transfer has not been effected with the sanction of the State Election Commission. 3. Having heard learned Counsel for the petitioner and 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2026:HHC:15817 having perused the impugned order, this Court is of the considered view that once the petitioner has completed normal tenure of more than three years as Samana, she cannot agitate her transfer from the present place of posting. 4. As far as the issue of the transfer being effected during the ban imposed on transfers on account of forthcoming Panchayat Elections is concerned, this petition is disposed of with the direction that Office Order dated 28.04.2026 shall be kept in abeyance till the time the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Till then, the petitioner shall be allowed to continue to serve at Samana at Bhawarna and the private respondent, even if if she has joined at the present place of posting, be called upon to perform her duties at the station where she was deployed. Once the Model Code of Conduct is over and the ban on the transfers is lifted, transfer order dated 28.04.2026 (Annexure P-1) shall be given effect to. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge May 11, 2026 (Rishi)