2026:HHC:15806 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.5540 of 2026 Date of decision: 11.05.2026 Surender Singh ...Petitioner. Versus State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors. …Respondents. Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Mr. Nimish Gupta, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr. Sushant Keprate, Additional Advocate General, for respondents No.1, 2 & 4. Mr. Surender Sharma, Advocate, for respondent No.3. Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge The present petition has been preferred against the roster issued by the respondent vide notification dated 07.04.2026, whereby, for the post of Pradhan Gram Panchayat Ajroli has been reserved for Scheduled Caste Category, on the grounds that population of Scheduled Caste Category in Gram Panchayat Ajroli is 35.55, keeping in view the population percentage of the Scheduled Caste Category, 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes -2- the post of the Pradhan in Gram Panchayat Ajroli should have been reserved for Scheduled Caste Category but posts of Pradhan in same Gram Panchayat with lesser population of Scheduled Castes have been reserved for Scheduled Caste Category. 2. Perusal of the information placed on record by the respondent-State indicates that post of Pradhan in Gram Panchayat Ajroli was reserved for Scheduled Caste women in 2015, in 2020 it was reserved for women and this time it has been made available as open to all being unreserved seat. 3. We find no irregularity or illegality in determining the roster of Gram panchayat Naaya, which was on the previous elections in 2015 was available for Scheduled Caste (women) Category. There is no repetition of reservation roster to the post of Pradhan in the Panchayats in reference. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has referred the judgment passed by Hon’ble Apex Court in Civil Appeal No.5707 of 2023 (@ Special Leave Petition (Civil) No.18727 of 2023), titled as Union Territory of Ladakh & Ors. Vs. Jaamu & Kashmir National Conference & Anr., reported as 2023 Live Law (SC) 749. We are of the considered opinion, that at this stage, this judgment is of no help to the petitioner particularly in the facts and attending circumstances of the case narrated hereinabove. -3- 5. Issues not discussed and/or adjudicated, are kept open to be adjudicated in appropriate proceedings. Accordingly, the petition is dismissed in aforesaid terms along with pending application(s), if any. (Vivek Singh Thakur) Judge (Ranjan Sharma) Judge 11th May, 2026 (Kiran)