Shimla, June 2
A protest by advocates of the Himachal Pradesh High Court intensified on Tuesday as lawyers opposed restrictions on vehicle movement along the sealed road leading from Chhota Shimla to the High Court. The advocates first gathered outside Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s official residence, Oak Over, before marching to the Secretariat, where demonstrations continued.
The protesting lawyers alleged that police personnel have been stopping their vehicles on the route and directing them to use Cart Road instead. According to the advocates, the alternative route remains heavily congested, making it difficult for them to reach court on time and affecting judicial proceedings.
Lawyers stated that they have been using the Chhota Shimla–Secretariat–High Court route for years without restrictions. They argued that their movement is limited to travelling to court in the morning and returning in the evening, causing no disruption to public order or traffic management.
The advocates said they were unaware of any formal government order imposing the restrictions but claimed that police have been consistently preventing vehicles from using the route. They demanded that the earlier arrangement be restored and called on the Chief Minister to address their concerns.
The protesters expressed hope that Chief Minister Sukhu, himself a former advocate, would understand the issue and intervene. They warned that if no positive decision is taken, the agitation will continue and may be expanded to other parts of the state.
