IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.17278 of 2026 alongwith CWP No.17296 of 2026 Decided on: 5th October, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. CWP No.17278 of 2026 Rattan Singh …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CWP No.17296 of 2026 Sanjay Sharma …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioners: Ms. Seema Azad Rai, Advocate, in CWP No.17278 of 2026. Mr. Anil Thakur, Advocate, in CWP No.17296 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 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 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 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 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 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 October 05, 2026 Judge Mukesh