HC takes suo motu cognizance over demolition of historic US Club gate in Shimla
Shimla, June 1
Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the demolition of the historic gate of the US Club in Shimla, a structure believed to be a remnant of the British colonial era, and issued notices to the state government and the Municipal Corporation Shimla seeking an explanation over the action.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi passed the order on May 26 while hearing a matter registered as Court on its Own Motion vs State of Himachal Pradesh and Another (CWPIL No. 58 of 2026).
According to the court order, news reports published in The Tribune and vernacular daily Amar Ujala were placed before the Bench highlighting that the iconic US Club gate had been pulled down during a road-widening exercise. The court observed that the structure, built of wood and stone with a traditional slate roof, was located nearly 500 metres from the historic Ridge and could qualify as a heritage structure.
The Bench noted that even if dismantling was required for widening the road, efforts should have been made to preserve and restore its original components before reconstructing the gate in the same design and architectural style. The order records that the demolition was allegedly carried out by the Public Works Department.
Also Read The Shimla Ridge: Between tradition and transformation
Expressing concern over the loss of a structure associated with Shimla’s colonial heritage, the court sought a status report explaining the circumstances that led to the “drastic action”. Notices have been issued to the Secretary, Public Works Department, and the Municipal Commissioner, Shimla.
Additional Advocate General Pranay Pratap Singh and advocate Vivek Sharma accepted notices on behalf of the state government and Municipal Corporation respectively and sought time to file replies.
The High Court has directed that the matter be registered as a public interest litigation and listed it for further hearing on July 29, 2026. The case is expected to rekindle debate over the preservation of Shimla’s rapidly disappearing heritage structures amid ongoing urban development works.
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