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United News of India
08-08-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Himachal HC concerned over traffic chaos at Parwanoo barrier, suggests shifting of entry barrier to Sanwara
States » North Shimla, Aug 8(UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has expressed serious concern over traffic congestion caused by the state entry tax collection near Timber Trail in Parwanoo on the Chandigarh–Shimla National Highway. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma suggested that authorities explore the feasibility of shifting the tax barrier or collection centre to Sanwara, about 15 kilometres away, to ease the traffic situation. During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court observed that only two or three lanes are currently operational, resulting in long queues. Even vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh, which are exempt from paying entry tax, are forced to wait due to the absence of a separate lane. This, the court noted, defeats the very purpose of granting the tax exemption and causes severe inconvenience to the public. The petition also alleged that, apart from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), other authorities are collecting illegal and discriminatory tolls on highways near the Himachal–Punjab border, causing unnecessary hardship to commuters. The Bench pointed out that the NHAI has already established another barrier-cum-collection centre at Sanwara, equipped with multiple lanes and more space on both sides of the highway. In such circumstances, it would be appropriate to consider shifting the collection to that location or identifying an alternative site with adequate facilities. Notably, the Kerala High Court recently directed the NHAI not to charge tolls if a highway is unfit for vehicular movement. In a similar approach, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had, in 2023, ordered a halt to toll collection on the Parwanoo–Dharampur stretch after landslides and road collapse. This section of the highway remains frequently disrupted during the monsoon, worsening the congestion problem. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for August 29. UNI ML AAB
The Print
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Legal aid clinic for soldiers, veterans inaugurated in Hamirpur under NALSA Scheme
Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, along with other judges, was also present on the occasion. The clinic was virtually inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, who is also the Chief Patron of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, during a function held in Shimla. Hamirpur (HP), August 7 (PTI) A legal services clinic was inaugurated at the District Sainik Welfare Office HERE on Thursday under the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025, launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide free legal aid to soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families. The ceremony was telecast live at the District Sainik Welfare Office in Hamirpur, where the legal services clinic was formally launched. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort under the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana-2025, which was launched by Supreme Court Judge and NALSA Executive Chairman Justice Suryakant during a regional conference in Srinagar on July 26, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas. At that time, a legal aid clinic had also been established on the premises of the Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Corporation in Hamirpur. The clinic will offer free legal assistance through panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers to both serving and retired defence personnel and their families. PTI COR OZ OZ This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Rave parties in Kullu, Mandi under high court scrutiny
Shimla: Taking serious note of a PIL claiming rave parties are being organised in the name of tourism in Kasol, Jibhi, Manali and some other parts of Kullu and Mandi districts, Himachal Pradesh HC has directed state govt to file a detailed report. These rave parties cannot be organised "without shelter of bigwigs and political patronage", a division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Rajan Sharma was apprised by petitioner, Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu. Entry tickets for these rave parties range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7 lakh, with videos available online and drugs being openly accessible during these parties, the PIL says. Putting state govt officials on notice, HC on Tuesday directed them to apprise by Aug 28 how many FIRs had been lodged in Mandi and Kullu districts on rave parties and how many persons had been arrested, categorised by their age groups. The division bench has also asked if any organisers had been identified, if inquiry was made into income being generated from these rave parties and how this income was being distributed among organisers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo "Additionally, state govt must inform court of any actions taken to confiscate or attach property of these rave party organisers by the next hearing date." In a connected matter concerning drugs cases in the hill state, the division bench was informed by the DGP that 2,147 cases were registered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2023, with Shimla accounting for the most, followed by Mandi and Kullu districts. HC was also apprised that till April 30 this year, 783 drugs cases were registered. However, HC noted the DGP's affidavit did not address court's observations made during a hearing on May 13. MSID:: 122635189 413 |
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delay in RERA chief appointment shows govt's ‘mala fide' intent: Himachal HC
The delay in appointment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) chief and members was with a 'mala fide purpose', observed the Himachal Pradesh high court while hearing a public interest litigation on the delay in these appointments. RERA was rendered headless after the post of chairperson had fallen vacant in December last year, following retirement of Shrikant Baldi. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Pulling up the state government over the delay, on Friday, the high court directed it to issue notification for the post of chairman and other members by June 25. The court has also imposed a fine of ₹ 5 lakh on the government. '....after the recommendation was sent, the office of RERA has been relocated to Dharamshala on June 13, 2025, without even identifying the alternative office place. We are also of the prima facie opinion that the whole purpose of dragging of the appointments and shifting the HQ of RERA is with a mala fide purpose and at this stage, we do not wish to say anything more,' read the order of division bench of chief justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma on Friday, the copy of which was made available on Saturday. RERA was rendered headless after the post of chairperson had fallen vacant in December last year, following retirement of Shrikant Baldi. '....sequence of events would go on to show that the state government is dragging its feet for not notifying the appointment of chairperson and the members,' observed the HC, while directing the state to issue notification regarding the appointments by June 25, failing which the chief secretary shall come present on the said date. In the detailed order high court pointed out that the issue had first cropped up on May 9, when a PIL filed by Atul Sharma, challenging the extension of six months granted to Prabodh Saxena as Himachal's chief secretary, who was also one of top-runners for the post of HP RERA chairperson. The order mentioned that 'Office of chief justice has also received a large number of representations that the appointment of chairperson and members, as such are not being notified and therefore, judicial notice also be taken of the same.' The recommendations of selection committee headed by the HP high court chief justice with the secretary (urban development), and secretary (law) as its members regarding appointment of RERA chairperson and members was sent by the registrar general of high court on March 13, and as per the Rule 18(5) of Himachal Pradesh Real Estate [Regulation and Development] Rules, 2017, the selection process has to be time bound. During the earlier hearing of the PIL, the state government was asked to file affidavit giving 'Specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the selection committee.' The state government had cited 'relocation of RERA office to Dharamshala, district Kangra, which was on the basis of a policy decision', as reason for delay in appointment while admitting that 'State government is under the obligation as per the rules to appoint the chairperson and members.' The state government through a status report on Friday had informed the high court that by notification dated June 19, 'that only one Member has been appointed namely Vidur Mehta', and the process of appointment of other members and the chairperson is currently under consideration and is in process.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal HC pulls up Sukhu govt over delay in appointing of RERA chief
The Himachal Pradesh high court (HC) on Friday pulled up the state government over delay in appointment of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) chief and asked it to issue notification for the post of chairman and other members by June 25. The court asked the state government that the notification for the posts of RERA chairman and its member must be issued by June 25, warning that the state's conduct appeared to be a deliberate attempt to stall justice. (File) The court verbally announced a fine of ₹ 5 lakh on the government for the delay. The detailed order is awaited. The directions were issued by the division bench of chief justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding delay in appointments of RERA chief and members. The court asked the state government that the notification for the posts of RERA chairman and its member must be issued by June 25, warning that the state's conduct appeared to be a deliberate attempt to stall justice. 'The government is playing hide and seek—first citing the shifting of RERA headquarters to Dharamshala— and now delaying appointments under the pretext of procedural issues,' the bench said. The court also expressed regret that despite being asked on May 9 whether appointments had been notified, the government had failed to act decisively. During Friday's proceedings, the government submitted that Vidur Mehta, an architect, has been appointed as a RERA member and the remaining appointments were 'under process'. Founding the explanations 'unsatisfactory', the court observed that repeated excuses reflected administrative apathy. The PIL filed by Atul Sharma has sought quashing of extension given to Prabodh Saxena as chief secretary of the state government on the grounds that it was given in clear violation of the Central Services Rules and guidelines of Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Saxena was considered front-runner for the post of RERA chairperson which had fallen vacant in December last year after retirement of then chairperson Shrikant Baldi. Saxena faces chargesheet in the infamous INX Media scam, in which then Union finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti are also named as accused. The petitioner informed the court that the special judge, anti-corruption court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, had taken cognisance of the chargesheet on October 21, 2019. The CBI had also reaffirmed the pendency of the case through a letter dated January 23, 2025 The petition argued that vigilance clearance cannot be granted to an officer who is an accused in a corruption case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In May, HC had sought an affidavit from state government over 'specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the selection committee'. 'Keeping in view the larger public interest, if the appointment has not been notified, affidavit be filed as to why it has not been done and what is the specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the Selection Committee,' said the division Bench, comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma on May 9, while directing the state government to file an affidavit. The high court clarified that the matter concerning interim relief against Saxena's extension would be considered on June 25, when the petition comes up for hearing again. Leader of opposition and former chief minister,Jai Ram Thakur, said, 'Even high court-recommended appointments are facing delays. RERA is being shifted to Dharamshala under suspicious circumstances.'
