( 2026:HHC:13499-DB ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH SHIMLA CWP No. 3697 of 2020. Decided on : 24 th April, 2026. Lekh Raj ....Petitioner. Versus State of H.P. & Anr. ....Respondents. Coram: The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Gunjan Sharma, Advocate, vice Ms. Shilpa Sood, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Hemant Kumar, Verma, Deputy Advocate General. Jiya Lal Bhardwaj, Judge (Oral). Learned vice counsel for the petitioner submits that the issue raised in the present petition is no more res integra in view of the decision passed by a co-ordinate Bench of this Court in CWP No. 9484 of 2024, titled, Kuldeep Singh vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & others, decided on 10th March, 2026, wherein the petitioner, who was appointed as Part Time Water Carrier, was held entitled for regularization after completion of 10 years of service. Admittedly, in the present case, the petitioner was appointed as Part Time Sweeper on 23rd March, 2001. 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. Learned Deputy Advocate General submits that he has no objection, in case, direction is given to the respondents to decide the claim of the petitioner in terms of the decision rendered by a coordinate Bench of this Court in the aforementioned case, provided the petitioner is similarly situated as that of the petitioner in the aforementioned judgment. 3. In view of the above fact, the respondents are directed to consider the claim of the petitioner in light of the judgment passed by a coordinate bench of this Court in Kuldeep Singh’s case (supra) and in case the petitioner is found similarly situated, he shall also be extended similar benefits within three months from today. However, it is made clear that in case the claim of the petitioner is not accepted, he shall be at liberty to assail the same, in accordance with law. Petition is disposed of accordingly, so also, the pending applications, if any. (Jiya Lal Bhardwaj) Judge 24th April, 2026. (jai) …2… ( 2026:HHC:13499-DB )