Bombay High Court

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND OTHERSversusTANAJI DEVRAO LAKADE

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court partially allowed the application, granting a two‑month extension and directing a hearing for the petitioner before concluding the inquiry.

Summary

The State of Maharashtra, represented by its Collector, filed a civil application seeking a four‑month adjournment to complete an inquiry ordered on 17‑01‑2026 and submit the report. The respondent, Tanaji Devrao Lakade, through counsel, opposed the lengthy extension, arguing it was excessive. The Court, after noting the narrow controversy, partially allowed the application, granting a two‑month extension as a final opportunity. The Court also directed that during the inquiry the petitioner must be given a hearing and must exchange contact details with the authority. The order thus balances the State’s need for time with the respondent’s right to be heard.

Issues considered

Whether the State is entitled to a four‑month adjournment to complete the inquiry and submit the report
Whether such an extension would prejudice the respondent’s right to a fair hearing

Subjects

adjournment
civil application
inquiry
hearing
procedural fairness
time extension

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:38184


                                                       1
                                                                       925-ca-9452-2026

                          IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                     BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                    CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 9452 OF 2026
                                             IN WP/13988/2023

                     The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Principal Secretary And
                                                 Others
                                                VERSUS
                                         Tanaji Devrao Lakade
                                                   ...
                     Mr. K. B. Jadhavar, AGP for Applicant-State
                     Mr. V. S. Undre, Advocate for Respondent (Thr. V.C)
                                                  …..
                                          CORAM : AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J.
                                             DATED : 21ST AUGUST, 2026
                     P.C. :-

                     .         This Civil Application is filed by the State Authorities

                     i.e. Collector seeking adjournment to comply the order dated

                     17.01.2026. More time of four months is sought to conclude

                     the inquiry and to submit the report.

                     2.        Learned Advocate for the petitioner appearing through

                     video conferencing reluctantly agrees for extension of time.

                     He would submit that four months would be too long period

                     to conclude the inquiry and to submit the report.

                     3.        Considering the narrow issue of controversy in the

                     matter, Civil Application stands partly allowed. Time granted

                     by this Court is extended by two months from today as a last

                     chance.
                                2
                                                 925-ca-9452-2026

4.      While conducting the inquiry, the authorities shall give

an opportunity of hearing to the writ petitioner and only

thereafter the inquiry shall be concluded. For that purpose,

the petitioner shall exchange his contact number with the

authority.



                                    ( AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J. )

Rushikesh/2026

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