Bombay High Court

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHERversusVASUNDHARA PANDURANG POTRAJE AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court extended the time for the Scrutiny Committee by two weeks to decide the tribal claim.

Summary

The State of Maharashtra filed a civil application seeking an extension of time for the Scrutiny Committee to decide the tribal claim of the respondents. The High Court had earlier ordered, on 8 July 2026, that the Committee decide the claim within six weeks. The Committee failed to meet this deadline due to administrative reasons, and the respondents' counsel opposed the extension, emphasizing the petitioner's status as a student awaiting admission. The Court considered the delay and the need for a fair decision, and consequently extended the time by two weeks from the date of the order. The application was allowed and the matter was disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the Court may extend the time granted to the Scrutiny Committee for deciding a tribal claim.

Subjects

extension of time
tribal claim
administrative delay
high court
civil application
writ petition

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:37130-DB




                                                (1)                    ca9321.26


                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                               BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                            CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 9321 OF 2026
                            IN WRIT PETITION NO. 7198 OF 2026

                            THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR.
                                          VERSUS
                        VASUNDHARA D/O. PANDURANG POTRAJE AND ORS.

           Mr. P.K. Lakhotiya, AGP for the applicant-State.
           Mr. S.M. Vibhute, Advocate for the respondents.

                                           CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT &
                                                   JITENDRA JAIN, JJ.
                                           DATE  : 18.08.2026

           PC :-

           01.           Not on Board. Taken on Board. This Civil Application is filed

           seeking extension of time to decide tribe claim of the petitioner/present

           respondents. This Court vide order dated 08.07.2026 had directed the

           Scrutiny Committee to decide tribe claim within six weeks from the date

           of the order.    It is stated that the same could not be completed for

           administrative reason and also that there are many matters pending

           wherein this Court has given directions to decide the claim within

           stipulated period.



           02.           This application is vehemently opposed by the learned

           Advocate Mr. Vibhute. He informs that the time of six weeks was granted
                                            (2)                   ca9321.26


specifically keeping in view that the petitioner is a student, who is

aspiring for bright career and the admission process is going on.



03.                 However, considering that the Scrutiny Committee could not

decide the tribe claim within stipulated time, it would be appropriate to

extend the time by two weeks from today. Hence, following order :-


                    i)     Time granted by this Court vide order dated 08.07.2026
                           in Writ Petition No. 7198 of 2026 to respondent No.2 -
                           Scrutiny Committee is extended by two weeks from
                           today.

                    ii)    This Civil Application is accordingly allowed and is
                           disposed off.




          [JITENDRA JAIN, J.]                     [KISHORE C. SANT, J.]


snk/2026/Aug26/ca9321.26

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