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Bar and Bench

State Transport Appellate Tribunal in Limbo: HP High Court Orders Urgent Staff Recruitment

Shimla, March 27, 2025 – The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken strong note of the non-functional State Transport Appellate Tribunal (STAT), directing the state government to urgently fill key staff vacancies. The court warned that without a Steno Typist and Judgment Writer, the newly posted Presiding Officer, District & Sessions Judge Rajesh Tomar, would be unable to perform his duties.

The case stems from a petition filed by Manju Sekhri vs. State of HP & Ors., where the applicant sought to restore her writ petition (CWP No. 7595 of 2022) after its transfer to STAT in 2023. The Tribunal, however, has remained non-functional due to staff shortages.

Judicial Crisis in STAT

The High Court had previously ordered the transfer of the applicant's writ petition to the Appellate Tribunal on April 13, 2023, registering it as Appeal No. 9 of 2023. However, the Tribunal faced a setback when the Presiding Officer was withdrawn due to staff paucity, leaving appeals like Sekhri’s in limbo.

With the recent March 21, 2025 notification appointing Judge Rajesh Tomar as Chairman-cum-Member of the Tribunal, the High Court expressed concern that the lack of essential personnel would continue to obstruct justice.

Government's Half-Measures Not Enough

The government submitted a fresh status report on March 25, 2025, claiming that except for the posts of Steno Typist and Judgment Writer, all other positions had been filled. While a driver was arranged on an outsourced basis, the government admitted that Himachal Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation (HPSEDC) had been asked to provide a panel of candidates for the missing roles.

However, the High Court rejected the outsourcing proposal, stating that such critical roles require direct accountability to the Tribunal and cannot be handled through temporary hires. The court suggested filling these vacancies through secondment, deputation, or re-employment.

Deadline Set for Government Action

The court has directed the state to complete regular appointments by May 15, 2025, ensuring that competent staff are placed at the Tribunal. In the interim, it ordered the government to deploy skilled personnel via re-employment or transfer by April 4, 2025, to prevent further judicial delays.

With justice hanging in balance, all eyes are now on the government’s next move. Will it act promptly, or will another judicial institution be left crippled by bureaucratic inertia?

Next Hearing Scheduled for April 7, 2025

The matter will be reviewed before an appropriate bench, with the government required to submit a fresh status report and action taken details.

#HimachalHighCourt #JusticeDelayed #TransportTribunal #LegalReforms #AdministrativeFailure @CMHimachal @HimachalGovt @HPHighCourt

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Tragedy at Manikaran Gurudwara Site: Six Killed in Tree-Landslide

Tragedy in Manikaran: Six Dead after huge deodar tree caved in a Landslide, But Who is Accountable?

Kullu: The pilgrim town of Manikaran, known for its spiritual significance, turned into a scene of devastation as a tree- landslide near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib claimed six lives.

The news has come at a time when the summer tourist season is picking up. The negative publicity can hit tourist footfalls in the Manikaran Valley of Kullu.

DC Kullu Ashwini Kumar and rescue team rushed to the spot but the damage was dine. Three tourists, and three locals were killed in the tree felling and landslide incident while many were injured.

The people didn't find time to escape the tree which caved in along with the landslide burying them alive.

While the Chief Minister mourns the loss and directs administrative assistance, the real question remains—why did disaster management and the Gurdwara committee fail to track the looming danger?

Now Warning Signs

The Himalayan terrain is no stranger to landslides, and Manikaran has witnessed nature’s fury time and again.

Yet, despite erratic monsoons and vulnerable slopes, there seems to have been no preventive measures in place mainly in fragile spots. There is only talk talk and talk here.

Disaster Mapping, drills or survey of blackspots on the highways remained buried in file of Disaster Management Authority.

Locals claim there were visible signs of soil erosion, weakened trees, and minor rockfalls in the preceding days. "We had noticed cracks and shifting rocks, but no one took it seriously. The authorities should have cordoned off the area," said a shopkeeper near the Gurdwara.

Gurdwara Committee’s Responsibility

The Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib attracts thousands of pilgrims daily. Ensuring their safety is a shared responsibility of both religious bodies and administrative authorities. There is no coordination.

However, questions are being raised about why no evacuation plan or early warnings were issued.

An eyewitness shared, "When the tree fell and the landslide began, there was absolute chaos.

There were no sirens, no alerts—nothing to indicate that disaster management had a plan in place."

Disaster Management: A Mere Formality?

Every monsoon, the administration issues vague warnings about landslides, but what about concrete action?

Was the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) consulted beforehand? Was there a structural audit of the vulnerable slopes?

Survivors recount a grim scene where victims were buried under debris, and rescue teams arrived only after locals began digging with bare hands.

"Had there been a proper monitoring system, these deaths could have been avoided," lamented a resident.

Time for Accountability, Not Just Condolences

While the Chief Minister's condolences may provide momentary solace, grieving families deserve more than words.

The state government needs to ensure that proper surveillance, early warning systems, and safety protocols are implemented, especially in high-risk zones like Manikaran.

Six lives have been lost. The question remains—will this be just another disaster brushed under the carpet, or will authorities finally wake up before the fragile and overcrowded places in mountains claim more innocent lives?

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