Bombay High Court

FAKIRA KADUBA KALAM AND ANOTHERversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court held that it may issue a mandatory direction to the respondent to decide the petitioners' application within eight weeks.

Summary

Fakira Kaduba Kalam and another filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court seeking a direction to the State of Maharashtra to decide their application dated 01.01.2026. The petitioners argued that the respondent had unduly delayed consideration of their application, violating principles of natural justice. The Court examined whether it has the jurisdiction to compel a government department to act within a specified time frame. It concluded that the High Court can issue a mandatory direction to ensure timely administrative action. Accordingly, the Court ordered Respondent No.4 to decide the petitioners' application within eight weeks of receiving the order, and disposed of the writ petition.

Issues considered

Whether the High Court can direct a government department to decide an application within a specified period

Subjects

writ petition
administrative law
direction
time limit
natural justice

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:36567-DB


                                                   {1}                  29-wp-10267-2026

                                 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
                                            BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                     29 WRIT PETITION NO. 10267 OF 2026

                                 Fakira Kaduba Kalam And Another
                                             VERSUS
                    The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others
                                                 ...
              Mr. M.B. Ubale, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Mr. S.K. Tambe, AGP for State
                                               .......

                                          CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND
                                                   ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.


                                             DATE : 17th AUGUST, 2026
              PER COURT :

              1.       The Writ Petition is disposed of by directing Respondent No. 4 to

              take decision on the application of the Petitioners dated 01.01.2026,

              within a period of 08 weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this

              order.



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




              Bhagyawant Punde

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