Bombay High Court
PRAVIN KULKARNI AND ASSOCIATESversusAXIS BANK LTD THR. ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the writ petition under Article 226 and therefore dismisses it.
Summary
The petitioners, Pravin Kulkarni & Associates, filed a writ petition challenging an order dated 20‑02‑2026 issued by Axis Bank Ltd., which de‑empaneled them from the list of approved valuers. The petition alleged that the bank, being a private entity, does not fall under Article 12 of the Constitution and therefore its order was invalid. The Court examined whether the writ petition could be entertained under Article 226 of the Constitution. It held that the matter did not fall within the jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 226 and that the petitioners must approach the appropriate competent forum for relief. Consequently, the Court declined to consider the merits of the bank's order. The petition was dismissed.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can entertain a writ petition under Article 226 challenging a private bank's de‑empanelment order.
- Whether the private bank falls within the ambit of Article 12 of the Constitution for judicial review.
Subjects
- writ petition
- Article 226
- jurisdiction
- private bank
- de‑empanelment
- approved valuers
- constitutional law
Judgment
(5)-WP-10172-26.doc
PANCHAL
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Digitally
signed by
BALAJI
BALAJI
GOVINDRAO
GOVINDRAO PANCHAL
WRIT PETITION NO. 10172 OF 2026
PANCHAL Date:
2026.09.21
10:51:23
+0530
Pravin Kulkarni & Associates ...Petitioner
Versus
Axis Bank Ltd. ...Respondent
...
Mr. Abhishek Samant, for the Petitioner.
...
CORAM : MAHESH CHANDRA TRIPATHI, CJ. &
ADVAIT M. SETHNA, J.
DATE : 18th SEPTEMBER, 2026.
P.C.:
1. The instant Petition is preferred questioning validity
of the impugned communication/order dated 20.02.2026
issued by Bank, i.e., Axis Bank Ltd., which is a private Bank
and does not fall under Article 12 of the Constitution of India.
The primary grievance of the Petitioner being that the
Respondent has de-empaneled the Petitioner from the
approved valuers.
2. Considering the relief sought for, we are not inclined
to entertain the instant Writ Petition under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India, leaving open to the Petitioner to press
appropriate relief before the Competent Court/forum in
accordance with law. We clarify that we have not adverted on
merits of the matter.
1
(5)-WP-10172-26.doc
3. Writ Petition is Dismissed.
[ADVAIT M. SETHNA, J.] [CHIEF JUSTICE]
2
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