Show-Cause Notices to 592 teachers spark fresh Legal Battle: HP High Court Defers Contempt case Pending LPA Outcome
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, Oct 28,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday deferred hearing in Contempt Petition filed by Poornima Kumari and others against the State Government, after the State informed the Court that a Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) has been preferred against the original writ order that triggered the ongoing dispute.
The contempt plea arises from the Court’s September 10, 2024 judgment in CWP No. 7515 of 2024, in which Justice Ajay Mohan Goel had directed the Education Department to revise the seniority list of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) for promotion to the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) cadre in accordance with merit and the department’s own office order dated June 18, 2024. The department was instructed to complete the process within eight weeks.
However, instead of implementing the order, the Directorate of Education recently issued show-cause notices to 592 teachers, asking them to explain why they should not be demoted. The move triggered sharp resentment among the affected teachers, who viewed the action as an attempt to sidestep the Court’s directive.
Consequently, the aggrieved teachers approached the High Court again through COPC No. 266 of 2025, seeking action against officials for non-compliance and for issuing the controversial show-cause notices.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Additional Advocate General Rajpal Thakur informed the Court that the State has already filed an LPA against the September 2024 order, and that certain directions have been issued by the Division Bench in that appeal. He requested time to apprise the Court of the developments in the LPA.
Accepting the prayer, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel listed the matter for November 18, 2025, directing that it be taken up after two weeks.
The next hearing is expected to decide whether the contempt proceedings will proceed or await the outcome of the LPA, which now holds the key to the fate of 592 teachers facing possible demotion.
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