Shimla, Updated May 21,
In a significant development in the ongoing proceedings related to the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), the High Court today took on record key documents submitted by various state authorities. The matter was heard by Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, who presided over the bench in the presence of Hamender Chandel, Advocate for HPPCL, and Mr. J.N. Upadhyay, Joint Secretary (Home) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, who appeared in person.
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During the hearing, an affidavit filed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh was formally accepted and directed to be shared with the Instructing Counsel for the petitioner and the office of the Advocate General. “The affidavit filed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) is ordered to be taken on record,” stated Justice Goel, directing the Registry to ensure a copy is supplied to the relevant parties.
Further, the Court acknowledged the submission of a status report by respondent No. 4, filed in compliance with a previous court order. The report, submitted by the Director General of Police, was presented in a sealed cover, which was opened in court. “The status report comprising 20 pages, along with 134 pages of annexures, is taken on record,” the Court observed. The Registry was instructed to provide copies of the entire report and its annexures to both the petitioner’s counsel and the office of the Advocate General.
Additionally, the Advocate General, under the direction of the Court, made available for the Court’s perusal a Final Enquiry Report submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), dated April 8, 2025. This report was prepared in line with a directive issued by the Department of MPP and Power on March 19, 2025. While the report was retained for the Court’s examination, a request made by the petitioner’s Senior Counsel to access a copy was opposed by the Advocate General on the grounds that the document remains under government consideration. “Be that as it may, the request of learned Counsel for the petitioner whether copy thereof be supplied to the petitioner shall be considered by the Court on the next date,” Justice Goel noted.
In the interim, the Court issued a firm directive stating, “It is clarified that challan shall not be filed by the Police without the leave of the Court.” The matter is now listed for further proceedings on May 21, 2025.
The matter is now listed for hearing on Wednesday May 21.
