Six Himachal MLAs retain assembly seats as Supreme court extends stay in CPS ‘office of profit’ case
Shimla, Jan 21,
Six Congress legislators in Himachal Pradesh will continue as members of the Legislative Assembly after the Supreme Court on Monday extended its interim stay on their disqualification in the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) case. The apex court may now take up the matter for regular hearing after March 15.
Confirming this development, Advocate General Anoop Rattan told a news agency that the case was listed before a Division Bench of the Supreme Court through online proceedings.
“The Supreme Court has extended the interim stay on the disqualification of six Congress MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries. The Bench matter may now be listed for final hearing after March 15,” the Advocate General said.
The stay pertains to a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Himachal Pradesh government challenging a High Court verdict that had declared the appointments of six CPSs as null and void. The High Court Division Bench had held that the CPS posts amounted to an “office of profit” under the Constitution, attracting disqualification.
While the six legislators resigned from their CPS positions in compliance with the High Court order, the Supreme Court’s interim protection ensures that they will not face disqualification from the Assembly for the time being.
According to the state government, the High Court judgment raises substantial constitutional questions, particularly on the interpretation of what constitutes an “office of profit.” These issues, the government has argued, require authoritative consideration by the Supreme Court.
The Advocate General pointed out that the apex court had earlier, in November 2025, admitted the SLP filed by the state government and clubbed it with similar matters pending from other states. The petition was later converted into a transfer petition to allow a consolidated and uniform hearing of all connected cases.
The case carries wide implications, not only for the stability of the Sukhu government but also for the broader constitutional debate on CPS appointments across the country. With the interim stay continuing, the political status quo in Himachal Pradesh remains unchanged until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict after March.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
