HC directs HPCA to file its reply on govt's application

The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) to file reply by January 4 next year, on the state government's application seeking permission of the court for passing final orders on the matter of the HP Societies Registration Act, 2006 against it.
The high court, by its orders of November 5, 2013, had restrained the Registrar (Cooperative Societies) to pass any final orders on the matter without permission of the Court.
The government submitted that after receiving a reply from the HPCA governing body, nothing more is required to be done as proceedings are complete and the matter is only required to be finally determined to take it to its logical conclusion.

It also filed its reply to the applications made by the cricket body praying to implead Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Balbir Singh Thakur, SP Kangra, Sanjay Kumar, Director General of Police of the state and District Magistrate Kangra C Paulrasu as respondents.
The government took the stand that the decision of the government taken on October 26, 2013 to cancel lease in favour of HPCA and to take control of property has been withdrawn on November 18 and on account of this development, most of the prayers made in the Writ petition have become infructuous.
The government also submitted that the Virbhadra Singh, Balbir Singh Thakur, Sanjay Kumar and C Paulrasu are not necessary parties as they are not concerned with the matter in their personal capacities.

The government also stated that the plea for amendment of writ petition is frivolous and meant merely to procrastinate the proceedings and to remain in possession of the property.
The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Kuldip Singh also granted the application of the HPCA to place on record additional documents and posted the matter for January 4, 2014.