Bombay High Court
SHAMBHU DHONDIRAM PAWARversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS DEPT. OF REVENUE AND ORS
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The court held that the petitioner's grievance is deemed redressed pending the Gramsabha proceedings and therefore disposed of the petition.
Summary
The petitioner, Shambhu Dhondiram Pawar, complained that the District Mining Officer of Pune had not responded to his grievance regarding a minor mineral extraction matter. The Collector of Pune filed an affidavit stating that the Sub‑Divisional Officer would convene a Gramsabha within two weeks and decide the case within three weeks, as per Rule 10(4) of the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction (Development and Regulation) Rules, 2013. The court observed that many citizens face similar delays due to lack of communication from revenue authorities and noted the petitioner's repeated personal visits without result. The Government Pleader sought time to implement remedial measures, and the court ordered a stand‑over until 13 October 2026 for reporting compliance. Consequently, the court held the petitioner's grievance as redressed and disposed of the petition.
Issues considered
- What relief, if any, is appropriate for the petitioner given the alleged inaction by the District Mining Officer?
- Whether ordering the convening of a Gramsabha and a subsequent decision within a specified time suffices to redress the petitioner's grievance.
Subjects
- Minor Mineral Extraction
- Gramsabha
- Revenue Authority
- Administrative Delay
- Petition Disposal
- Rule 10(4) Maharashtra Rules 2013
Judgment
ssm 15-wp10330.2025.doc
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 10330 OF 2025
Shambhu Dhondiram Pawar …..Petitioner.
Vs.
State Of Maharashtra & Ors. …..Respondents.
____________________________________
Mr. S.R.Borulkar a/w Adv. S.S. Borulkar i/by Mr. Shubham Dhange
for the Petitioner.
Smt. Neha Bhide, G.P. a/w Shri. O.A. Chandurkar, Addl. GP and Smt. R.M.
Shinde AGP, for the Respondent-State.
____________________________________
CORAM : A. S. GADKARI AND
KAMAL KHATA, JJ.
DATE : 8th SEPTEMBER, 2026.
P.C.:-
1) Smt. Bhide, learned Government Pleader submitted that, Mr.
Jitendra Dudi, Collector of Pune, has filed a detailed Affidavit dated 18 th
March, 2026, to the Petition. That, in paragraph No.11 thereof, it is stated
that, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Khed, District Pune now again will
act as per Rule 10(4) of Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction
(Development and Regulation) Rules, 2013 and will arrange Gramsabha
himself in the present case and will take appropriate decision in the case of
the Petitioner.
1.1) She on instructions further submitted that, the said Gramsabha
will be convened within a period of two weeks from today and the SDO will
take appropriate decision as may be permissible under the law within a
1/2
ssm 15-wp10330.2025.doc
period of three weeks thereafter.
2) In view of the above, the grievance of the Petitioner as of today
is redressed.
3) Petition is accordingly disposed off.
4) Paragraph No.27 of the Petition reads as under:-
“27. The Petitioner states that no action had
been taken by the said authority. The Ld. District
Mining Officer of Pune had not replied to the
Petitioner. The Petitioner from time and again
personally visited the office and requested to look
into his cause. No further progress had noticed.”
5) It is observed by us that, in many Petitions for want of proper
communication from the Revenue Authorities to the citizens, they have to
approach this Court spending time and money on litigation only for want of
proper communication or replies from the concerned Revenue Authorities.
6) Smt. Bhide, seeks time to ponder upon the said fact and to
adopt necessary remedial measures in that by the concerned
Authority/Authorities.
7) Stand over to 13th October, 2026.
8) To be listed under the caption “for reporting compliance”.
(KAMAL KHATA, J.) (A.S. GADKARI, J.)
Digitally signed 2/2
by SANJIV
SANJIV SHARNAPPA
SHARNAPPA MASHALKAR
MASHALKAR Date:
2026.09.18
18:56:43 +0530
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