HC gives state two-week ultimatum in Shimla Mayor tenure case, warns of adverse orders
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HC gives state two-week ultimatum in Shimla Mayor tenure case, warns of adverse orders
Shimla, June 16,
Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued a two-week ultimatum to the State Government to file its reply in the case challenging the extension of the tenure of Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor and Deputy Mayor from two-and-a-half years to five years, warning that adverse orders may follow in case of non-compliance.
Hearing a petition filed by Asha Sharma, ( previously Anjali Soni Verma) and others, a division bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma observed that despite notices having been issued in April, the State Government had failed to place its response on record.
Granting what appears to be a final opportunity, the court directed the government to file its reply within two weeks and listed the matter for hearing on July 8, 2026.
The court’s order came after Additional Advocate General Ramakant Sharma, appearing for the State, sought further time to file the reply. Allowing the request, the bench made it clear that failure to comply with the direction could invite adverse consequences.
Talking about it to a media, counsel for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Sudhir Thakur, said the court had effectively issued an ultimatum to the State Government.
He said the High Court had made it clear that if the reply was not filed within the stipulated period, it would be free to proceed further in the matter.
The petition challenges the amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, under which the tenure of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor was increased from two-and-a-half years to five years.
Also Read Shimla Mayor Tenure Extension Becomes Law After Governor’s Assent; High Court Hearing on March 19
The petitioners have contended that the amendment cannot be given retrospective effect, especially when the process for electing a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor had already been initiated by the State Election Commission under the existing legal framework.
According to the petitioners, the continuation of incumbent Mayor Surinder Chauhan and Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal beyond their original tenure violates the rotational reservation mechanism and deprives eligible councillors, including women and Scheduled Caste representatives, of their right to contest for the offices.
The case has emerged as one of the most closely watched legal and political battles in the state, with the outcome expected to determine the validity of extending elected tenures through subsequent legislative amendments.
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