Supreme Court Lifts High Court Stay on Shifting HP Backward Classes Commission HQ

The Supreme Court set aside the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s stay on the State’s decision to shift the headquarters of the HP Commission for Backward Classes from Shimla to Dharamshala.

The Court held that shifting an institution’s headquarters is a policy decision with minimal scope for judicial interference unless it violates constitutional or fundamental rights. 

Observing that access to justice should be closer to affected communities, the Court noted that most backward classes reside in Kangra district.

It allowed the State to proceed with the shift, subject to the outcome of pending proceedings before the High Court.