2026:HHC:6827 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.10788 of 2023 Decided on: 12.03.2026 Jai Pal & others … Petitioners Versus State of Himachal Pradesh and another … Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 ____________________________________________________ _ For the petitioners: Mr. Dinesh Bhanot, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Pushpinder Jaswal, Additional Advocate General. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) By way of this petition, the petitioners have prayed for the following relief:- “ It is therefore, respectfully prayed that an appropriate writ, order or direction may kindly be passed in favour of the Petitioners by issuing a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant the benefits to the petitioners as per the judgment in Dharminder Kumar vs. State in favour of the Petitioners in the interest of justice and fair play.” 2. Learned Counsel for the petitioners submitted that during the pendency of the petition, cases filed by persons similarly situated as the petitioners, have been allowed by the Hon’ble Coordinate Bench of this Court. He has referred to the judgment of the Hon’ble Coordinate Bench, i.e. CWP No.5267 of 2023, titled Uttam Ram & others VS. State of Himachal Pradesh & others, decided on 22.09.2025. 3. Learned Additional Advocate General was called upon by 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2026:HHC:6827 this Court to assist the Court, as to whether the issue raised in the judgment being relied upon by the petitioner was the same as is being urged by the present petitioners also. Learned Additional Advocate General fairly submitted that the issue is the same, however, he submitted that any order that may be passed by the Court should be subject to the legal rights of the State against this order as well as the order being relied upon by the petitioners. 4. In light of the above, as it is not much in dispute that the issue in hand is no more res integra and it stands decided by the Hon’ble Coordinate Bench in CWP No.5267 of 2023, titled Uttam Ram & others VS. State of Himachal Pradesh & others (supra), this petition is disposed of with the direction that findings returned by Hon’ble Coordinate Bench of this Court in CWP No.5267 of 2023, titled Uttam Ram & others VS. State of Himachal Pradesh & others (supra), shall mutatis mutandi apply to this petition also and all directions so issued by Hon’ble Coordinate Bench shall be construed as having been issued in this petition also, subject to legal rights of the respondents. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge March 12, 2026 (Rishi)