IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.883 of 2026 Date of Decision: 09.01.2026 _______________________________________________________ Rajat Khoond …….Petitioner Versus State of Himachal Pradesh & others … Respondents _______________________________________________________ Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? 1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Neeraj Sharma, Senior Advocate with Mr. Hemant Kumar Thakur & Mr. Vidush Chauhan, Advocates. For the Respondents: Mr. Rajan Kahol & Mr. Vishal Panwar, Additional Advocate Generals with Mr. Ravi Chauhan, Deputy Advocate General. ____________________________________________________ Sandeep Sharma, Judge(oral): By way of instant petition, petitioner has prayed for following main reliefs:- “i. That the respondents may kindly be directed to implement the policy strictly as far as declaring the engagement nullified and the engagement committee may kindly be directed to recommend the candidature of the petitioner who is next in merit as Van Mitra with all consequential benefits; ii. That the resuming of duties in violation of policy may kindly be declared illegal and ultra virus; 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 iii. That the respondents may kindly be directed to issue appointment letter as Van Mitra to the petitioner in place of respondent No.7.” 2. Before reply, if any, could be called from the respondents, learned Senior counsel representing the petitioner invited attention of this Court to communication dated 05.08.2025 (Annexure P-5) to state that petitioner would be content and satisfied in case directions are issued to the competent authority to do the needful in terms of afore communication. 3. While putting appearance on behalf of the respondents- State, Mr. Ravi Chauhan, learned Deputy Advocate General, fairly states that he is not averse to aforesaid innocuous prayer made on behalf of the petitioner. 4. Consequently, in view of the above, this Court without going into the merits of the case, deems it fit to dispose of the same with a direction to Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division, Rampur Bushahr, District Shimla to take action upon communication dated 05.08.2025 (Annexure P-5), issued by the Range Forest Officer Nankhari, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, if not already taken, within a period of two weeks. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (Sandeep Sharma), Judge January 09,2026 (shankar)