IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA COPC No.720 of 2026 Decided on: 22.07.2026 _________________________________________________________________ Atul Pathania and Ors ....Petitioners Versus Rakesh Kanwar and Anr …Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua 1 Whether approved for reporting? _________________________________________________________________ For the petitioners: Mr. Nikhil Chandel, Advocate. For the respondent: Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr. Sikandar Bhushan, Deputy Advocate General. Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge Learned Deputy Advocate General has placed on record office instructions dated 21.07.2026 from the Director of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh, conveying that in terms of Atul Pathania and others Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh and another2 , alleged to have been violated, the respondents were to decide the case of the petitioners in light of Vikas Kumar Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh3. 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes 2 CWP No. 14471 of 2025 decided on 08.09.2025 3 CWP No. 8032 of 2021 decided alongswith connected matters on 23.06.2025. - 2 - Respondents had preferred Letters Patent Appeal No. 194 of 2026 against the aforesaid decision, wherein vide order dated 01.07.2026, the aforesaid decision has been stayed. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that in view of aforesaid office instructions, present proceedings be closed at this stage, however, liberty be reserved to the petitioners to seek appropriate remedy for the redressal of their grievances, at an appropriate stage, in case necessity so arises in future. Granting such liberty, present contempt proceedings are closed. Notices issued to the respondents are discharged. . Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge July 22, 2026 R.Atal