In yet another significant court order Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted interim stay on the implementation of notifications issued by the state and the central governments giving schedule tribe (ST) status to Hattee community living in Trans Giri area of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
Hearing a petitions of Giripar Anusuchit Jaati Adhikar Sangharash Samiti and Giripar Gujjar Samaj on Thursday a Division Bench of HP High Court headed by Chief Justice MS Ramchandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Riwal Dua stayed the implementation of the notifications till March 18, 2024 , when the matter is listed for further hearing in the case.
Nearly 1.6 lakh Hattees living in Trans-Giri area were given ST status after a long wait of 57 years when the Central government had notified the Hatttee community as ST on September 2022 and the state government had paved the way for giving ST status to the community through a notification on January 1, 2024; the process to issuing ST certificates had also begun.
In its order the High Court said,” We are of the view that if an interim order is not granted, tens of thousands of ST certificates would be granted during hearing of the case , reversal of which would be difficult”.
The case would be taken up for hearing when the High Court opens after the winter vacations on February 2, 2024.