Shimla, March 27 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has issued notices to the Election Commission of India, the Central and state governments, the returning officer and MP Anurag Sharma on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging Sharma's recent election to the Rajya Sabha. The PIL, filed by advocate Vinay Sharma, alleges that Sharma continued to hold contracts with the government at the time of filing his nomination, rendering him ineligible to contest the election. A bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and justice BC Negi issued orders on Wednesday, directing all respondents to file their replies by May 21. Citing Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the petitioner argued that if a candidate holds an active contract with the government at the time of nomination, their candidature is deemed invalid. The petition claims that seven contracts held by Sharma were active during the nomination period; despite this, the returning officer failed to properly scrutinise the nomination and accepted it. Sharma previously served as a PWD contractor. In his nomination papers, he also disclosed government contracts worth Rs.23.64 crore. Of these, two specific works-valued at Rs.12.58 crore-were awarded to him as recently as February 19, 2026. Speaking to HT, on the phone Sharma said, "I am yet to receive the notice. Though, through a social media post I got to know a petition has been filed. I have nothing to hide and now, as the matter is sub judice, I will not be in a position to say anything. Once we get the notice, the legal team will respond."...