HC imposes Rs 5L fine on HP Govt in CS Extension Case, orders RERA appointments by June 25
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, June 20,
Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the state government for failing to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the state government inaction of not appointing RERA chairman and extension of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena’s service. The court directed that the amount be deposited with the High Court Bar Association by June 25.
A division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma also came down heavily on the state for its delay in notifying appointments to the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
The court ordered that the notification for the posts of Chairman and Member of RERA 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 remarked. The court 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 one RERA member has been appointed and that the appointments of the Chairman and another member were “under process.” The court found the explanation unsatisfactory and observed that repeated excuses reflected administrative apathy.
In a connected matter, the court heard a PIL filed by petitioner Atul Sharma seeking cancellation of the government’s March 28, 2025 order granting Prabodh Saxena a six-month extension as Chief Secretary, despite a pending CBI chargesheet against him. The petitioner informed the court that the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi had taken cognizance of the chargesheet on October 21, 2019. The CBI had also reaffirmed the pendency of the case through a letter dated January 23, 2025.
It was alleged that the state government concealed this vital information from the Centre while seeking the extension and failed to include Saxena’s name in the list of officers with doubtful integrity, potentially violating service rules and Article 123 of the Constitution.
The High Court clarified that the matter concerning interim relief against Saxena’s extension would be considered on June 25.
It is worthwhile to mention that Sukhu government has been directed to complete the appointment process of RERA chairman now finds itself cornered—both over the RERA delay and the controversial extension of a tainted bureaucrat.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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