The apex court, without interfering in the matter, asked the state to approach the HC for an early hearing of the writ petition. The proposed land transfer was aimed at developing a tourism village project in Palampur, a move that had triggered opposition from sections of the university fraternity and local residents.
The matter reached the HC after the HP Agriculture University Teachers Association challenged the state government’s decision, contending that the land was meant for academic, research and agricultural purposes and should not be diverted for commercial use.
Earlier, the HC had granted an interim stay on the proposed transfer, restraining the government from proceeding further until the issue was examined in detail.
Seeking to vacate the stay, the state government moved the Supreme Court. However, the court declined to grant relief, allowing the interim order to continue.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared on behalf of the Himachal government during the proceedings. The development is being seen as a setback to the state’s plan to establish the proposed tourism village on the university land.
Faculty members and employees have maintained that the land is a critical institutional asset required for teaching, research, field trials and future expansion. They have argued that any reduction could adversely impact the university’s long-term academic and agricultural objectives.
The issue has drawn considerable public attention in Palampur and across the state, with stakeholders calling for the protection of university land and academic autonomy.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene at this stage, the matter will now continue before the HP High Court, where the main petition remains pending for further hearing.
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