HP High court slaps Rs 50,000 cost on State for delay, seeks status report as ordinance nears lapse
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Shimla, Jan 7,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has imposed conditional costs of Rs 50,000 on the State government for failing to re-file its reply despite the urgency of the matter, while hearing a public interest litigation in Anjali Soni Verma vs State of Himachal Pradesh & Others.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj expressed displeasure over the State’s conduct, observing that the reply “is still lying under objections and has not been re-filed in spite of the exigency of the situation.”
In its order dated January 6, 2026, the court directed the State to remove the objections within two days, making it clear that the delay was obstructing completion of pleadings. The Bench noted that the rejoinder had already been filed by the petitioner, leaving no justification for the State’s inaction.
“Therefore, we impose conditional costs of Rs. 50,000/- on the State to remove the objections within two days, so that pleadings can be completed,” the court ordered.
The Bench also recorded that due to the unavailability of Petitioner No. 1 and counsel for petitioners No. 2 to 4 on January 8 and 9, it was “constrained to defer the proceedings,” listing the matter for February 24, 2026.
Significantly, the High Court directed the State to file a status report in the interim, taking note of the submission that the ordinance involved in the matter was lapsing on the same day.
“In the meantime, State shall also file status report, since it is submitted that ordinance is lapsing today,” the order records.
The order was passed in the presence of the petitioner appearing in person, along with senior advocates representing various respondents, including the State.
The matter will now be taken up after completion of pleadings, with the court clearly signalling that procedural delays—especially by the government—will invite financial consequences in matters involving public urgency.
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