IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWPIL No.69 of 2026 Decided on : _30.06.2026 Rajneesh Kumar Sharma ... petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others …Respondents. Coram Hon’ble Mr. Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Chief Justice. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bipin Chander Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Ms. Madhurika Sekhon, Advocate. For the respondents : Ms. Priyanka Chauhan, Deputy Advocate General, for the respondents. G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice (Oral) The petitioner is aggrieved primarily by the notification dated 2nd June, 2026 (Annexure P-1), whereby the Science and Commerce streams in Government College, Jukhala, have been discontinued. 2. During the course of arguments, counsel for the petitioner does not press the prayer with regard to restoration of Science and Commerce stream at Government Degree College, Shri Naina Devi Ji and Government Degree College, Jhandutta, District Bilaspur, and other colleges of the State, since the petition is primarily based on the 1 Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes -2- grievance of the students, who are stated to be local residents of the said area and the petition is confined to Government College, Jukhala. 3. Perusal of the notification (Annexure P-1) would go on to show that where the total student enrolment is less than 75 across all streams, there is to be a merger with the Government Colleges located at their respective District Headquarters, which is the primary grouse of the petitioner. A representation has already been made by the petitioner to the Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh on 2nd June, 2026 (Annexure P-2) regarding the discontinuation of the Science and Commerce streams at Government College, Jukhala. 4. In such circumstances, counsel has further submitted that in respect of certain other colleges, the merger has been rescinded by referring to notification dated 10.6.2026 (Annexure P-3 colly.), whereby in respect of various other colleges in different districts, there has been a partial modification of the notification dated 2nd June, 2026. In such circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the State should take a decision on the representation (Annexure P-2) filed by the petitioner and the matter could -3- be resolved if there is merit in the representation, which shall be considered by the competent authority. 5. Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 2 to take a decision on the representation Annexure P-2 within a period of four weeks from today and pass a reasoned order. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (G.S. Sandhawalia) Chief Justice (Bipin Chander Negi) Judge 30th June, 2026 Tarun Singh