2026:HHC:6611 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 8153 of 2024 Decided on: 11.03.2026 Subhash Ranhotra …….Petitioner Versus Himachal Road Transport Corporation and others … Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 _____________________________________________________ For the petitioner : M/s K.B. Khajuria and Ashish Verma, Advocates. For the respondents : M/s Onkar Jairath and Dheeraj K.Vashisht, Advocates. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) By way of this writ petition, the petitioner has inter alia prayed for the following relief:- “(i) That writ in the nature of certiorari may very kindly be issued, whereby quashing and setting aside the impugned departmental Registrar proceeding, impugned Memorandum No. HO: 9E-PF-1359/96-/SK/RM/(A), dated 20.10.2020 alongwith articles of charges, Annexure P-2 (colly) due to undue delay in conclusion of departmental inquiry proceedings on the part of the respondent's corporation and office order No.HO:9E- Audit Report Chamba/ 2020(A) dated 04.07.2024, Annexure P- 10 also, issued by the respondent No.1, being illegal and arbitrary. (ii) That writ in the nature of mandamus may kindly be 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2026:HHC:6611 issued to the respondents, whereby directing the respondents to give promotion to the petitioner to the post of Deputy Divisional Manager w.e.f. due date, 11.08.2021 on regular basis, with all consequential benefits, when juniors to the Deputy petitioners namely Shri Raj Kumar and Shri Pankaj Chadda were promoted as Divisional Manager (Non Tech.) on regular basis. (iii) That the respondent corporation may also kindly be directed to release/disburse the pension by counting the period of suspension and other pensionary benefits of the petitioner, i.e., Gratuity and Leave Encashment etc. from due date alongwith interest @ 9% per annum.” 2. The contention of the petitioner is that the Departmental proceedings which have been initiated against him are not being completed expeditiously by the employer and therefore, the same are liable to be quashed and set aside. 3. On the other hand, learned Counsel for the respondents-Corporation has apprised the Court on the strength of the reply filed by the respondents that the departmental proceedings have been delayed on account of the acts of omission and commission of the petitioner which have resulted in prolonging of the department proceedings. 3 2026:HHC:6611 4. Be that as it may, as agreed, this writ petition is disposed of with the direction that as the next date for presence of the petitioner before the Enquiry Officer is 16.03.2026, the petitioner will definitely appear before the Enquiry Officer on the said date and the Enquiry Officer shall complete the enquiry proceedings and submit his report on or before 31.05.2026. 5. With these observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. It is ordered that parties shall render full assistance to the Enquiry Officer in the completion of the Enquiry proceedings. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge March 11, 2026 (narender)