Himachal High Court directs release of ex-MLAs pensions within a month

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Shimla, April 10

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the restoration of pensions for former legislators who were disqualified during the 2024 political crisis, in a setback for the state government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. A bench comprising Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Ranjan Sharma directed the state assembly secretariat to release pending pension dues within one month, along with future payments on time. The court also said a 6% annual interest would apply if delays occur .

The ruling came on petitions filed by former MLAs Rajinder Rana and Ravi Thakur, who had challenged changes to pension rules introduced after the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections.

The dispute centres on an amendment passed by the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, which sought to deny pensions to lawmakers disqualified under India’s anti-defection law.

However, the court noted that a revised bill limits such provisions to future assemblies, meaning earlier legislators remain eligible. The new legislation is still awaiting approval from the Governor.