2026:UHC:2067-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA AND THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR. SUBHASH UPADHYAY Writ Petition (PIL) No.38 of 2026 24 March, 2026 Shurveer Singh -----Petitioner Versus State of Uttarakhand and Another ----Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presence:- Mr. Parikshit Saini, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. B.S. Parihar, learned Addl. C.S.C. for the State of Uttarakhand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUDGMENT : (per Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta C. J.) 1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned State Counsel. 2. In the present petition, filed in public interest, the petitioner seeks a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to clarify /issue guidelines and/or revive the earlier policy of 2006 and grant 50% relaxation in the requirement of land norms in respect of women’s colleges in the State. 3. The submission is that in the past there was a Government Order dated 17.08.2006 whereunder in respect of women’s colleges the stipulation regarding the land area was relaxed to the extent of 50%, however, while issuing Government Order dated 14.12.2016 no relaxation has been provided in respect of women’s colleges. The Director, Higher Education on 03.04.2023 has also made recommendation to the State Government 1 2026:UHC:2067-DB to consider grant of relaxation in respect of land area for women’s colleges but the State Government has not taken any decision in the matter so far. 4. Learned State Counsel submits that the matter is pending before the State Government, and assures that the State Government will take decision in the matter expeditiously. 5. Having regard to the stand taken by the learned State Counsel, we dispose of the writ petition by providing that the State Government shall take decision in the matter within eight weeks from the date of receipt of communication of the instant order along with photocopy of the writ petition and annexures. 6. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of. (MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA, C. J.) (SUBHASH UPADHYAY, J.) Dated: 24.03.2026 SS 2 SUKHBANT SINGH Digitally signed by SUKHBANT SINGH DN: c=IN, o=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, ou=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, 2.5.4.20=71978f9c61bfde0ba69967c787b1764ea7bc7dd129a8a 6380d49b1885e628615, postalCode=263001, st=UTTARAKHAND, serialNumber=2D8B71B8D8E345F6B7F95B1DD4FB4BEBD2B7D 72C42261361AED33172F152148D, cn=SUKHBANT SINGH Date: 2026.03.25 17:16:15 +05'30'