High Court restores Dharamsala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA

HPCA welcomes High Court’s decision
Dharamsala, November 5, 2013: The Himachal Pradesh High Court today restored "status quo ante" in respect of the takeover of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association land and properties, and "disapproved" the action of the state government saying it was "politically motivated".
A division Bench comprising Chief Justice A.M.Khanwilkar and Justice Kuldeep Singh termed the Congress government's action of a mid-night swoop to take over the stadium by sending police force as an 'act of high handedness' of the state authorities, which were expected to follow a due course of law to dispossess any person.
In its order announced in the open court, the bench maintained that the action was politically motivated and goes against all established norms, rule of law and constitution.
"We order the state government to restore a status quo ante i.e the position prevailing before October 26, 2013 --- the day when state cabinet canceled the land lease of the HPCA and also took-over the possession forcibly in the mid-night, should be restored forthwith," the Court said.
Two-time BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who is also son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, had challenged the state government's controversial action accusing the government of acting with political vendetta to cancel the land lease, and also taking over the possession of its assets, mainly the cricket stadium without following due course of law.
HPCA duly welcomes the High Court of Himachal Pradesh decision restoring "Status Quo Ante" in favor of the association, wherein all the assets of HPCA taken over by the government have been restored to it.
It is a victory of all the members and constituents of HPCA, their combined efforts and hard work, above all "the game of cricket" and all the stakeholders in the state. We reaffirm our commitment towards the development of the game in Himachal in the best interest of all the stakeholders, said Anurag Thakur President HPCA.
He added, “We are committed to provide world class facilities to the players of the state and create more infrastructure for them and make Himachal one of the powerhouses of the game in the country.”