IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 359/2026 Decided on: 26.02.2026 Hans Raj …Petitioner Versus H.P. State Cooperative Bank & Ors. .…Respondents. ………………………………………………………………………………. Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Mr. B.N. Mehta, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Raman Jamalta, Advocate for respondent Nos.1 to 3. Mr. Rajat Chaudhary, Assistant Advocate General, for respondents No.4 & 5. Jyotsna Rewal Dua, J. Following order was passed in the matter on the last date of hearing: - “Notice at this stage is confined to respondents No.1 to 3 and 5. Mr. Paras Dhaulta, learned counsel and Mr. Y.P.S. Dhaulta, learned Additional Advocate General, appear and waive service of notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3 and respondent No.5, respectively. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he is under instructions to confine this writ petition only qua relief No.2, which reads as under:- “(2) That the respondent no.5 may be directed to complete the investigation in a time bound manner for filling Challan 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? yes 2 in court of law and also be directed to fill investigation report for the scrutiny of this Hon’ble court.” In view of above, let learned Additional Advocate General to have instructions with respect to the current status of FIR No.35 of 2023, registered on 07.05.2023 at Police Station Janjaheli, District Mandi by the next date. List on 26.02.2026. Name of learned Advocate General be reflected in the cause list for respondent No.5 henceforth.” Pursuant thereto, learned Assistant Advocate General has placed on record the report dated 26.02.2026, detailing the status of FIR No. 35/2023 dated 07.05.2023 under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, registered at Police Station Janjehli, District Mandi, H.P. As per the report, the matter is still under investigation. The status report records that on 16.12.2025, the specimen signatures of the accused persons were sent for comparison to the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Junga, and the report is still awaited. The aforesaid FIR was registered on 07.05.2023, more than two years have elapsed, yet the matter is stated to be under investigation. 2. Taking into consideration the grievance of the petitioner, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 5/competent authority to expedite the investigation in the aforesaid FIR and take the same to its logical conclusion, in 3 accordance with law, within a period of six weeks. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge 26th February, 2026(rohit)