( 2026:HHC:30153 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 5986 of 2026 Date of decision: 22.07.2026. ___________________[____________________ Dr. Praveen Kumar Vimal ...Petitioner Versus State of H.P. & Ors. …Respondents _______________________________________ Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? 1 _______________________________________ For the Petitioner : Mr. Devender K. Sharma, Advocate. For the Respondents : Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General, with Mr. Raj Negi, Deputy Advocate General. __________________________________________________ Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge (Oral) Main substantive prayer of the petitioner is to direct the respondents-State to fill up the post of Secretary, H.P. Sanskrit Academy, as per the eligibility criteria prescribed in the notification dated 30.04.2003, in a time-bound manner, with further submission that persons not eligible to hold the post of 1 Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 ( 2026:HHC:30153 ) Secretary, H.P. Sanskrit Academy, shall not be entrusted with the charge, additional charge or be posted against the said post. 2. In response to the petition, learned Additional Advocate General has placed on record instructions dated 21.07.2026, received from the Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, which is reproduced as under:- "No. EDN-(D)1-173/2026 Government of Himachal Pradesh Higher Education Department. From The Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh. To The Ld. Advocate General, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-171001 Dated: Shimla-2 the 21.07.2026. Subject:- CWP No. 5986 of 2026- titled as Praveen Kumar Vimal Vs State of HP & ors. Sir, I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and to say that the matter was listed before the Hon'ble Court on 07.07.2026, when this Hon'ble Court has directed the respondents to ensure that no ineligible person shall hold the charge of Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Sanskrit Academy and State shall ensure that arrangements are made to hold the charge of post of Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Sanskrit Academy by a person having essential eligibility criteria. 3 ( 2026:HHC:30153 ) In this regard, it is humbly submitted that presently no person has been ordered to hold the additional charge of Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Sanskrit Academy and the post is lying vacant. However, it is submitted that the matter of appointment is under consideration before the Department and same shall be finalized after the approval of the Competent Authority. It is, therefore, requested that the Hon'ble High Court may kindly be apprised, accordingly please. Yours faithfully, Sd/- Addl. Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh Phone No. 0177-2620182" 3. In view of the above and stand taken by the respondents whereby it has been informed that the matter regarding the appointment of the Secretary, H.P. Sanskrit Academy, is under consideration and the same shall be finalized after the approval of the Competent Authority, present petition is disposed of with direction to the respondents to complete the process, since the post has been lying vacant for a long time, as expeditiously as possible latest by 30.09.2026, by filling up the post in question with an eligible incumbent. 4 ( 2026:HHC:30153 ) Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (Vivek Singh Thakur), Judge. (Ranjan Sharma), 22nd July, 2026 Judge. (Shamsh Tabrez)