IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.6781 of 2026 Decided on : 27.05.2026 Vikram Singh ...Petitioner Versus The Deputy Conservator of Forest Wildlife Division and Anr. …Respondents. Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bipin Chander Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Ms. Parul Negi, Advocate. For the respondent(s) : Mr. Pranay Pratap Singh, Additional Advocate General, for the respondent/State. G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice (Oral) By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner prays that respondents be directed to conduct the auction for the Eco-Shop in question strictly in terms of the advertisement dated 06.04.2026 in a fair and transparent manner. 2. The sum and substance of the pleading in the writ petition and the argument raised by the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner had participated in similar auction in the year 2025 for a shop on the same route and the 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes -2- bid was accepted. Reference is made to letter dated 28.05.2025 (Annexure P-2 Colly), whereby Eco Shop at Kelwa Thatch, which is at Habba-Glog-Ghati-Tesari Trek Route In Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, was leased out for a period of six months from 01.06.2025 to 30.11.2025. It is submitted that by way of the auction notice dated 06.04.2026 (Annexure P-1), bid was again reinvited and petitioner had submitted his demand draft but the respondents had not conducted the auction proceedings and deliberately postponed the same to favour several individuals. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has highlighted the fact that draft had been prepared and therefore, not carrying the auction to its logical end was not justified and arbitrary action. 4. Learned Addl. Advocate General, on the other hand, had apprised this Court firstly on instructions dated 11.05.2026 that fresh auction would be conducted after the model code of conduct was lifted and on completion of all necessary codal formalities, as the auction had been cancelled on account of non-participation. The same was controverted to by counsel for the petitioner by referring to the demand -3- draft and the stamping on the same by the official concerned, and it was submitted that the petitioner was present on 17.04.2026. The stand of the State being not clear, therefore, we called for the records on 26.05.2026 and today, the record has been produced. 5. Learned Addl. Advocate General has rightly pointed out that there was a notice of even date, whereby 7 more shops, as such, were also auctioned on the Churdhar Trek from a different route, namely, Nauradhar and the allotment has been done in favour of the successful bidders for the route in question. The petitioner along with other four persons, for the other route had submitted the requisite documents but did not choose to participate in the financial bidding process and opportunity was extended to the interested persons. In such a situation, the auction was cancelled. 7. We have also gone through the record produced and find that apparently there was bidding for the other route on the same day and whereas processing was done for the technical bids etc. (R2/1) for the present route in question, but apparently when it came forward for the bidding, none of the five persons participated in the financial bid. In such -4- circumstances, the decision was taken to cancel the said procedure. 7. Learned counsel for the petitioner tried to pick faults and said that the petitioner was eligible and submitted that the earnest money draft had been handed over. 8. We are of the considered opinion that there is nothing is on record to show that any effort was made by the petitioner to enhance his bid and neither the other four persons also had participated and as per the record maintained, the factum of non-participation is verified. The official proceedings, as such carry a presumption of truth and the Writ Court would not go into the disputed issues, as such which are sought to be raised. 9. Resultantly, we do not find any ground further to keep the matter pending in view of the undertaking given by the Respondents/State and the officials as such, as the auction period was from 20.04.2026 to 19.04.2027 subject to weather conditions. Steps be taken for re-auctioning the said shops at the earliest after the Code of Conduct lifted. 10. In the aforesaid facts and attending circumstances, we dispose of the present writ petition with direction to the -5- State to abide by the undertaking and do the needful by 15.06.2026, on completion of all codal formalities. 11. Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (G.S. Sandhawalia) Chief Justice (Bipin Chander Negi) Judge 27th May, 2026 (Gaurav Rawat)