Shimla, May 16,
Making strong remarks against the government, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to vacate Bungalow No. 3 at Harrington Estate, Shimla—meant exclusively for High Court judges—and hand over its keys to the court within ten days.
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The court was informed through an affidavit that the bungalow is currently occupied by an Additional Director in the Department of Environment, Science and Technology, who also serves as a Chief Engineer in the State Pollution Control Board. Orders have been issued for the immediate vacation of the house.
Earlier, the division bench of Chief Justice M.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma had expressed displeasure, questioning how a residence reserved for judges was allotted to a journalist.
The bungalow, part of six units earmarked for judges at Harrington Estate, was initially allotted to the officer’s spouse, a recognised journalist and former member of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC).
The matter is now listed for further hearing on May 28, as the court delves into not just the misuse of official accommodation, but also the broader systemic failures that enabled the situation.
