HP High Court stays Chief Secretary order in Solan demolition case, notice issued
Shimla, April 8(Updated),
In a judicial intervention, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed the operation of an order issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta in a demolition dispute involving the Municipal Corporation (MC) Solan.
The order was passed by Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua on April 6, 2026, in CWP No. 4586 of 2026 (Municipal Corporation Solan vs State of H.P. & others).
As per the court order,
“the directions issued in clause (c) of impugned order dated 24.02.2026 by the Chief Secretary… shall remain stayed till the next date.”
The High Court further issued notice to the respondents, directing that the matter be listed after completion of pleadings. The order records:
“Issue notice to respondents No. 2 & 3 returnable within four weeks… List thereafter.”
The case arises out of a dispute over alleged encroachment and construction in the Jawahar Park area of Solan. The MC Commissioner had earlier, on March 28, 2024, ordered demolition based on a demarcation report dated December 18, 2023, citing encroachment over specified land.
However, acting on an appeal filed by Renu Suri and others, the Chief Secretary had set aside the demolition order on February 24, 2026. The order had termed the MC’s action as violative of principles of natural justice, questioned the demarcation process, and permitted continuation of construction as per the sanctioned plan, along with directions to clear access to the property.
Challenging this intervention, the MC Solan approached the High Court, raising questions over the scope of administrative authority in overturning statutory municipal action.
Meanwhile, the development has triggered political reactions. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Sanjay Chauhan alleged misuse of authority and demanded action against the Chief Secretary, including his removal and registration of an FIR. Chauhan further referred to an earlier controversy linked to the Chester Hills projects in Solan, where, according to him, an inquiry report prepared at the SDM level highlighting alleged irregularities was not acted upon. He also claimed that a decision taken at the level of the Chief Secretary in that matter was subsequently revisited by the state government.
These assertions are part of political statements and have not been examined or adjudicated upon by the Court in the present proceedings.
The matter is expected to be taken up after responses are filed by the parties.
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