IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) Nos. 575 and 577 of 2026 Reserved on: 24.4.2026 Date of Decision: 29.4.2026.

1. Cr. MP(M) No. 575 of 2026 Manish Kumar …. Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent

2. Cr. MP(M) No. 577 of 2026 Shubham …. Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No.

For the Petitioner(s) : Mr Ajay Kochhar, Senior Advocate, with Ms Swati Sharma, Advocate.

For the Respondent-State : Mr Lokender Kutlehria, Additional Advocate General.

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge Since both these petitions have arisen out of a common FIR, they are being taken up together for disposal.

2. The petitioners have filed the present petitions for seeking regular bail in FIR No. 41 of 2025, dated 18.05.2025, registered for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 10 and 11 of the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, at Police Station Sadar, District Shimla, H.P.

3. It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, Mohit, Aashish, Manish Kumar (the present petitioner), Gaurav, Ritu Devi, Shub