IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 17554 & 17563/2026 Decided on: 07.10.2026 1. CWP No. 17554/2026 Deepak Kumar Sharma …Petitioner Versus State of H.P. & Anr. .…Respondents. 2. CWP No. 17563/2026 Mehar Chand …Petitioner Versus State of H.P. & Anr. .…Respondents ……………………………………………………………………………. Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Mr. Parveen Chandel & Mr. Raman Sharma, Advocates, for the petitioners in the respective petitions. For the respondents: Ms. Seems Sharma, Deputy Advocate General in both the petitions. Mr. Neelam Kaplis, Advocate, for the respondent-Board of School Education. Jyotsna Rewal Dua, J 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. 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? yes 2 CWP No.2004 of 2017 decided alongwith connected matter on 03.08.2023. 2 2. It is an admitted position that the “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 & Anr3. 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. In view of above, the present petition is disposed of with direction to the respondents to consider the cases of the petitioners for the grant of relief prayed for by them, in accordance with the time- line 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, in future. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge 7th October, 2026(rohit) 3 CWP No. 3361 of 2025 decided alonwith connected matters on 25.04.2026 4 Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 24885/2026 decided on 29.07.2026