Bombay High Court

KHANDU PIRA THELARI MAARNAR AND OTHERSversusTHE DEPUTY COLLECTOR DHULE AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The High Court held that the Deputy Collector must decide the petitioners’ representation on its merits within eight weeks of the order.

Summary

The petitioners, Khandu Pira Thelari (Maarnar) and others, filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court seeking redress for the failure of the Deputy Collector, Dhule, to decide their representation dated 26 May 2026. They alleged that the respondent’s inaction violated principles of natural justice and caused prejudice to their rights. The Court examined whether the administrative authority was obligated to decide the representation within a reasonable time and whether judicial intervention was appropriate. Finding that the delay was unjustified and that the petitioners were entitled to a timely decision, the Court directed the respondent to adjudicate the representation on its merits. The order further stipulated that the decision be rendered within eight weeks of receipt of the Court’s copy of the order.

Issues considered

Whether the Deputy Collector’s delay in deciding the petitioners’ representation violates principles of natural justice.
Whether the High Court can compel an administrative authority to decide a representation within a specified time frame.

Subjects

writ petition
administrative law
natural justice
representation
high court direction
timely decision

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:37847-DB


                                                 1                     62-WP-10205-26.odt


                        IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                   BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                             WRIT PETITION NO. 10205 OF 2026

                         KHANDU PIRA THELARI (MAARNAR) AND OTHERS
                                             VERSUS
                          THE DEPUTY COLLECTOR, DHULE AND OTHERS
                                                ...
              Mr. Ajeet B. Kale, Advocate for the Petitioner
              Mr. N. S. Tekale, AGP for Respondents/State
                                                ...

                                      CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND
                                              ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
                                        DATE : 19th AUGUST, 2026

              PER COURT :

              .            The writ petition is disposed of by directing respondent

              No.2    to decide   the representation       of   the petitioners    dated

              26/05/2026, on it’s own merit, within a period of eight weeks from

              the date of receipt of copy of this order.



                  (ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.)           (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)




              SVH

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