Court on its own motion vs State of H.P. and Ors.

Letter petitioners, who are students of Government Senior Secondary School Killar, Tehsil Pangi, District Chamba, H.P. have vented out their

grievances through the letter petition, pointing out lack of sufficient accommodation in the school, where the authorities have also housed a college.

More than 350 students have signed the letter petition.

From the response filed by the State, the contents of the letter petition have turned out to be correct.

We notice that the Director (Higher Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh vide affidavit dated 1.1.2018 has explained the reasons

for housing the college in the school complex. However, he has assured that the college complex is under construction and 70 % of the work now

stands completed, also, with effect from the next academic session i.e. 2018-19, the college would start functioning from the newly constructed

complex.

In these circumstances, we dispose of the present petition with the direction to the Principal Secretary (Education) to the Government of

Himachal Pradesh, to ensure that the college complex is completed and shifted to the newly constructed complex within time. Also, classes for the

academic session 2018-19 shall commence from the said complex. In any event, the college must vacate the school premises before

commencement of the next academic session in the college.

In view of the above, we see no reason to keep alive the present petition and as such, the same is closed. Before parting, we wish to place on

record appreciation qua the efforts put in by Mr. Satyen Vaidya, Senior Advocate with Mr. Vivek Sharma, Advocate, as Amicus Curiae, who on

the instructions of this Court, contacted letter petitioners and obtained necessary feedback.

Registry is directed to send a copy of this Judgment to the Principal Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, for

necessary action as well as to the letter petitioners to enable them to take follow up action with the concerned authorities.