Item No. D-8 State of H.P & others Vs. Akshay Kumar CMP (M) No. 197 of 2026 08.05.2026. Present: Mr. Pranay Pratap Singh, Additional Advocate General, for the applicants/appellants. CMP No. 3288 of 2026 Keeping in view the averments made in the application, we are of the considered opinion that sufficient cause has been made out to condone the delay. Therefore, the delay 87 days in re-filing the appeal is condoned. The application stands disposed of. CMP (M) No. 197 of 2026 For the reasons given in the application, which is duly supported by an affidavit and keeping in view the fact that similar matters are pending before this Court, the delay 108 days in filing the appeal is condoned. Accordingly, the application is disposed of. Appeal be registered. Admit. Issue post admission notice to the respondent returnable within four weeks, on taking steps within one week. List alongwith LPA No. 228 of 2025, State of H.P and others vs. Rukmi Devi and others, wherein on the basis of the judgment dated 28.05.2024, passed by this Court in CWP No. 2274 of 2021, Satya Devi Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & others a/w other connected matters pertaining to the same issue has been assailed by the State and at subsequent stage, stay has been granted by the Apex Court on 24.03.2025. CMP No. of 2026 In view of the above stated position, we stay the operation of order dated 14.01.2025, passed by the learned Single Judge in CWP No. 1116 of 2025, titled as Akshay Kumar Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & others, during the pendency of the appeal. The application stands disposed of. (G.S. Sandhawalia) Chief Justice. (Jiya Lal Bhardwaj) May 08, 2026 Judge (hemlata)