Bombay High Court

ANIKET SUDHIR JADHAVversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS CHIEF SECRETARY AND ORS

Disposal: Disposed Off

Holding

The court held that the District Collector's inspection and remedial actions adequately addressed the grievances, so no further judicial intervention was required.

Summary

The petitioner filed a public interest litigation alleging deficiencies in the functioning of E‑Maha Seva Kendras in Ratnagiri district. No counsel appeared for the petitioner, while the State was represented by AGP Mr. Siddheshwar B. Kalel. The court examined affidavits filed by the Sub‑Divisional Officer and the Tahsildar, which detailed a site‑inspection, identification of discrepancies in 174 centres, cancellation of 81 centres, and notices issued to 78 centres to commence operations within seven days. The affidavits further indicated that out of 1,214 centres, 1,040 were functioning properly after the District Collector’s intervention. Satisfied that the grievances had been addressed, the court ordered continued monitoring but disposed of the PIL.

Issues considered

What relief, if any, is warranted from the court concerning alleged non‑functioning of E‑Maha Seva Kendras?
Whether the actions taken by the District Collector constitute sufficient compliance with the petitioner's grievances.

Subjects

public interest litigation
E‑Maha Seva Kendra
administrative action
district collector
compliance
government resolutions
monitoring

Judgment

2026:BHC-KOL:8885-DB

46-PIL-165-2023(C).doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 165 OF 2023

Aniket Sudhir Jadhav ...Petitioner
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Others ...Respondents

——————
None for the Petitioner.
Mr. Siddheshwar B. Kalel, AGP for the Respondent-State.
——————

CORAM : SHARMILA U. DESHMUKH &
NEERAJ P. DHOTE, JJ.

DATE : SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.

P. C. :

1. None appears on behalf of the Petitioner.

2. Mr. Kalel, learned AGP would point out the affidavit-in-reply dated

23rd June, 2026 filed on behalf of the Sub Divisional Officer, Chiplun.

3. We have perused the affidavit-in-reply dated 11 th June, 2024,

stating that the exercise of carrying out site inspection of the centers

based on the grievances of the Petitioner is carried out. We have also

perused the affidavit-in-reply dated 23 rd June, 2026 filed by the

Tahsildar – Chiplun, stating that upon inspection carried out by the

concerned Sub-Divisional Officer, as per the directions issued by the

Jamadar-SL 1 of 2
46-PIL-165-2023(C).doc

Collector, Ratnagiri, an inspection report was prepared. As per the said

report, discrepancies were found in 174 ‘Aaple Sakar Seva Kendra / E-

Maha Seva Kendra’, and notices were issued for compliance. The

affidavit further states that 81 ‘E-Maha Seva Kendra’ were cancelled and

notices were also given to 78 centres for starting the ‘Seva Kendra’

within seven days. It is specifically stated that out of 1214 centres, 1040

centres are working properly in Ratnagiri District.

4. It appears that as action has been taken by the District Collector,

the grievances have been addressed and therefore no appearance has

been caused by the Petitioner. We are satisfied from the affidavit that

appropriate action has been taken by the the District Collector and we

expect continued monitoring in order to ensure that E-Seva Kendras

function smoothly and in accordance with the applicable Government

Resolutions.

5. The PIL Petition, therefore stands disposed of.

[NEERAJ P. DHOTE, J.] [SHARMILA U. DESHMUKH, J.]

Jamadar-SL 2 of 2

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