Shimla, April 6 -- In a major setback to the Himachal Pradesh government, the High Court on Monday stayed the powers granted to Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to reserve 5% of seats in Panchayat elections, observing that the provision was prima facie unconstitutional.

A division bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma ruled that any reservation roster prepared using these powers would also remain stayed. The court directed all DCs to finalise and implement the reservation rosters for Panchayat elections by 5 PM on April 7 without fail.

The detailed order is awaited.

Advocate Nand Lal, appearing for the petitioner, termed the amendment arbitrary and beyond the competence of the state government.

"The tenure of Panchay...