Authority: High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla

Order Date: 10 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Hospitality Solutions, Proprietorship Firm, operator of JÜSTA Palampur Resort & Convention Centre.
  • Respondents: State of Himachal Pradesh and associated officials, including Sub Divisional Magistrate, Palampur (respondent No.3).
  • The dispute arose from a show‑cause notice dated 02‑07‑2026 (No. 262‑PA) issued by the Sub Divisional Magistrate directing the petitioner to justify operating the hotel without a Fire No‑Objection Certificate (NOC) as required under the Revised Fire NOC Guidelines dated 05‑05‑2026.
  • The petitioner filed a response on 04‑07‑2026 but alleges that no decision has been taken, resulting in suspension of hotel operations, loss of bookings, goodwill damage, and potential civil claims.
  • Reliefs sought: quash the notice, restrain coercive action, direct consideration of the petitioner's response in line with the 05‑05‑2026 fire NOC guidelines, and permit continuation of fire‑safety work.

Final Outcome

  • The Court disposed of the writ petition without examining its merits, directing Respondent No. 2 (the Competent Authority) to consider and decide the petitioner’s response to the 02‑07‑2026 notice in accordance with law and the 05‑05‑2026 fire NOC guidelines.
  • The decision must be rendered within one week from the order date, with an opportunity of hearing provided to the petitioner’s authorized representative.
  • The decision shall be communicated to the petitioner.
  • All pending miscellaneous applications, if any, were also disposed of.

Topics: Fire Safety Regulation, Hospitality Sector