IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH SHIMLA CWP No. 14888 of 2026. Decided on : 27 th August, 2026. Dev Raj ...Petitioner. Versus State of H.P. & Ors. ....Respondents. Coram: The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Loveneesh Kanwar, Senior Advocate with Mr. Tek Chand, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, Additional Advocate General for respondents No.1 to 3-State. Ms. Komal Chaudhary, Advocate, for respondent No.4. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral). Notice. Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, learned Additional Advocate General and Ms. Komal Chaudhary, learned counsel appear and waive service of notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3 and 4, respectively. 2. By way of this writ petition, the petitioner has, inter alia, prayed for following reliefs:- 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? “(a) That Hon’ble Court my kindly be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari quashing the letter dated 24.04.2026 (Annexure P-6) issued by respondent No.3. (b) That this Hon’ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to count the contract service of the petitioner as qualifying service for grant of pension and to thereafter release the due and admissible pension to the petitioner within a reasonable period.” 3. Learned Senior Counsel has referred to the impugned order and has submitted that perusal thereof would demonstrate that the foundation of the impugned order is the Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees Act, 2024, which Act stands struck down by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, which judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench has been upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. 4. This Court is of the considered view in light of the fact that this is not disputed by the respondents that the Act in issue stands struck down by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, obviously the impugned order, foundation whereof are the contents of the said Act, is not sustainable in law. …2… 5. In view of the above, this petition is allowed. Impugned order Annexure P-6 dated 24.04.2026 is quashed and set aside with direction to the respondents to take a fresh call on the representation of the petitioner in terms of the judgment earlier delivered in his case by the Court, within a period of twelve weeks. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge 27th August, 2026. (jai) …3…