IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 9629 of 2025 Reserved on 7.4.2026 Date of Decision 17.04.2026 Basant Lal ...Petitioner.

Versus State of H.P. & Others. …Respondents.

Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Sharma, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ Yes For the Petitioner: M/s Mukul Sood and Het Ram Thakur, Advocates.

For the Respondents: Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr.Ramakant Sharma, Additional Advocate General for respondents No.

1 to 3.

Respondent No. 4 already ex-parte vide order dated 29.7.2025.

Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge Petitioner, by invoking jurisdiction of this High Court under Article 226 of Constitution of India, has filed present petition for quashing and setting aside the order dated 3.2.2025 passed by the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi under Section 146(2) of the H.P.Panchayati Raj

1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment

Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) wherebyP petitioner has been disqualified from contesting the election for a period of 6 years and to be elected as office bearer of the Panchayat etc.; and also for declaring Section 146(2) of the Pa