IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.16673 of 2026 alongwith connected matters Decided on: 24th September, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. CWP No.16673 of 2026 Chander Prakash Pathik …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CWP No.16703 of 2026 Anshul Chaudhary …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and another .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. CWP No.16704 of 2026 Sachin Nadda …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and another .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioners: Mr. M.A. Safee, Mr. Pranav Kaushal and Mr. Sameer Miyan, Advocates, in CWP No.16673 of 2026. 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 Mr. Varun Thakur and Mr. Aakash Thakur, Advocates, in CWP Nos.16703 and 16704 of 2026. For the Respondents: Ms. Seema Sharma, Deputy Advocate General. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge Petitioners seek a direction to the respondents to count their contract services for the purpose of annual increments, seniority, promotion and all other consequential benefits. They seek applicability of the decision rendered in Taj Mohammad and others Versus The State of Himachal Pradesh and others2. 2. It is an admitted position that “Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees Act, 2024” has been quashed and set aside in Devinder Kumar & Ors. Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Anr.3. It is also a matter of record that State of Himachal Pradesh & Anr. Vs. Devinder Kumar & Ors.4 instituted by the State of Himachal Pradesh against the aforementioned judgment, has been dismissed by the Hon’ble Apex Court on 29.07.2026. While dismissing the appeal, the Hon’ble Apex Court granted four 2 CWP No.2004 of 2017 decided alongwith connected matter on 03.08.2023. 3 CWP No. 3361 of 2025 decided a/w connected matters on 25.04.2026 4 Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 24885/2026 3 months’ time to the State Government to do the needful in terms of the judgment. 3. In view of above, the present writ petitions are disposed of at this stage with direction to the respondents to pass consideration order in accordance with the timeline indicated by the Hon’ble Apex Court. The petitioners are at liberty to seek appropriate remedy for the redressal of their surviving grievances, if any, at an appropriate stage, in case necessity so arises. The writ petitions stand disposed of in the above terms, so also the pending miscellaneous application(s), if any. Jyotsna Rewal Dua September 24, 2026 Judge Mukesh