Bombay High Court
Deepak Govind DeshpandeversusState Of Maharashtra Through Dy Director Higher Education Pune and Ors
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The Court held that the Joint Director must determine the pending proposal within three weeks and warned of contempt if the order is not complied with.
Summary
The petitioner, Deepak Govind Deshpande, filed a contempt petition alleging that the Joint Director of Higher Education, Kolhapur Division, was delaying a proposal submitted by the Headmaster and Trustees of Respondent No. 3 to Shivaji University. The University had already reported on the proposal, which remained pending before the Joint Director. The Court directed the Joint Director to decide the proposal dated 29‑09‑2025 within three weeks and warned that failure to do so would constitute contempt. The Court emphasized that the order must be a speaking, reasoned one in accordance with law. The contempt petition was subsequently disposed with these directions.
Issues considered
- Whether the delay by the Joint Director of Higher Education in deciding the university proposal amounts to contempt of court
- What specific directions can the Court issue to compel timely determination of the proposal
Subjects
- contempt of court
- higher education
- administrative law
- court order compliance
- university proposal
Judgment
8. CP-124-26.odt
Amberkar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 124 OF 2026
IN
WRIT PETITION NO. 9074 OF 2025
Deepak Govind Deshpande .. Petitioner
Versus
State of Maharashtra & Ors. .. Respondents
....................
Mr. Kamble Sayabanna K. a/w Mr. Babasaheb Bansode, Advocates
for Petitioner
Ms. Tejas J. Kapre, AGP for Respondents - State & its functionaries
Mr. Satyajeet Rajeshirke a/w Mr. Rahul S. Rane, Advocates for
Respondent No. 3
...................
CORAM : MILIND N. JADHAV &
NANDESH S. DESHPANDE, JJ.
DATE : JULY 22, 2026
P. C.:
1. Heard Mr. Sayabanna, learned Advocate for Petitioner; Ms.
Kapre, learned AGP for Respondents - State and its functionaries and
Mr. Rajeshirke, learned Advocate for Respondent No. 3.
2. It is submitted that the proposal has been forwarded by the
Headmaster and the Trustees of Respondent No. 3 to the concerned
Competent Authorities, namely, Shivaji University and the Joint
Director of Higher Education, Kolhapur Division, Kolhapur, for
consideration and necessary action.
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8. CP-124-26.odt
3. We are informed that the University has already given its report
and recommendations to the said proposal and now the proposal is
pending with the Joint Director of Higher Education, Kolhapur
Division, Kolhapur.
4. We direct the concerned Joint Director of Higher Education,
Kolhapur Division, Kolhapur to determine the said proposal dated
29.09.2025 submitted by Respondent No. 3 to the University which is
pending before him within a period of three weeks from today
positively.
5. We direct that this is a Contempt Petition and though at present
we are disposing the same, we make it clear that if the said proposal is
kept languishing, concerned Joint Director of Higher Education will be
held responsible. He shall ensure that Court's orders are scrupulously
complied with and that the proposal is duly considered and
determined by passing a speaking and reasoned order, strictly in
accordance with law.
6. With the above directions, Contempt Petition is disposed.
[ NANDESH S. DESHPANDE, J. ] [ MILIND N. JADHAV, J. ]
Amberkar
Digitally signed
by RAVINDRA
RAVINDRA MOHAN
MOHAN AMBERKAR
AMBERKAR Date:
2026.07.22
17:42:42 +0530
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