Himachal Pradesh HC Stays Shifting of Backward Classes Commission Office from Shimla to Dharamshala [Read Order]

Shimla: The High Court of Himachal Pradesh on Friday stayed the decision of the State Government to shift the office of the Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Backward Classes from Shimla to Dharamshala, observing that the matter required closer judicial scrutiny.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ankit passed the interim order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Ram Lal Sharma, challenging the State’s decision dated 07 January 2026.

Challenge to Relocation Decision

The writ petition (CWPIL No. 9 of 2026) assails the government’s decision to relocate the Commission’s headquarters from Shimla to Dharamshala, District Kangra, while retaining the Shimla office as a camp office for the Chairman.

Senior Advocate Ankush Dass Sood, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the decision appeared arbitrary and hastily taken, particularly in light of the fact that the Chairman of the Commission was appointed only on 03 December 2025 and belongs to Kangra district. The Members of the Commission were appointed subsequently on 23 December 2025, and the proposal to shift the office was moved the very next day, on 24 December 2025.

Infrastructure and Staffing Concerns Raised

The petitioner also highlighted that the existing office premises of the Commission in Shimla are held on a 99-year lease, for which a sum of ₹22.54 lakh has already been paid. As a result, no recurring rental expenditure is incurred by the State.

Further, it was pointed out that the Commission has only 11 sanctioned posts currently filled, out of which six are Class-IV employees, raising doubts about the State’s justification for shifting offices on the ground of administrative efficiency or decongestion.

The Court was also informed that no clear decision has been taken regarding office accommodation in Dharamshala, adding to concerns about the preparedness and necessity of the move.

Reliance on Earlier High Court Observations

The petitioner relied on an earlier order of the High Court dated 30 December 2025 in CWPIL No. 38 of 2025, wherein the Court had observed that shifting offices with a minuscule number of employees may defeat the stated objective of decongestion rather than serve the public interest.

Interim Stay Granted

After hearing the submissions, the Bench issued notice to the State and private respondents, who appeared through counsel and accepted notice. The Court directed that:

“In the meantime, the abovesaid shifting shall remain stayed.”

The matter has been listed for further hearing on 08 April 2026. The accompanying interim application was disposed of in view of the stay order.

Case Details

• Case Title: Ram Lal Sharma v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors.
• Case Number: CWPIL No. 9 of 2026
• Court: High Court of Himachal Pradesh
• Bench: Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ankit
• Date of Order: 09 January 2026

[Read Order]