Bombay High Court

UTTAM VISHWANATH LANDGEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The amendment effective from 23 July 2026 validly confers on the Committee the power to review its own orders, rendering the petitioners' challenges untenable.

Summary

The petitioners filed multiple writ petitions challenging show‑cause notices issued by the Committee (Respondent No. 2) that sought reasons why their cases should not be reopened. The Committee relied on a statutory amendment dated 22 July 2026, which purported to give it power to review its own orders effective from 23 July 2026. The State argued that, post‑amendment, the Committee was lawfully empowered to reopen the petitioners’ cases. The Court examined whether the amendment validly conferred such review power and whether the petitioners could contest the notices. Finding that the amendment was in force and clearly vested the Committee with the authority to reopen its orders, the Court concluded there was no ground to entertain the writ petitions. Consequently, the petitions were dismissed and the matter was disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the Committee, after the amendment dated 22 July 2026, has the power to review and reopen its own orders.
Whether the petitioners can challenge the show‑cause notices issued by the Committee on the ground of lack of such power.
Whether the High Court should entertain writ petitions seeking relief against the Committee’s exercise of the newly conferred power.

Subjects

review of administrative order
show cause notice
tribal development
writ petition
statutory amendment
jurisdiction

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:40163-DB


                                             1           4-wp 11222-2026+.odt



                         IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                    BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                 WRIT PETITION NO. 11222 OF 2026

                 Sudhir Pandurang Kadam And Another                 .. Petitioners

                        Versus

                 The State Of Maharashtra Department
                 Of Tribal Development And Another                  .. Respondents

                                              AND
                                 WRIT PETITION NO. 11302 OF 2026

                 Narayan Uttamrao Landge                            .. Petitioner

                        Versus

                 The State Of Maharashtra And Another               .. Respondents

                                              AND
                                 WRIT PETITION NO. 11303 OF 2026

                 Avinash Ashokrao Landge                            .. Petitioner

                        Versus

                 The State Of Maharashtra And Another               .. Respondents
                                              AND
                                 WRIT PETITION NO. 11304 OF 2026

                 Ashok Vishwanath Landge                            .. Petitioner

                        Versus

                 The State Of Maharashtra And Another               .. Respondents
                                              AND
                                 WRIT PETITION NO. 11305 OF 2026

                 Uttam Vishwanath Landge                            .. Petitioner
                      Versus
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Another               .. Respondents
                               2              4-wp 11222-2026+.odt


                            AND
               WRIT PETITION NO. 11306 OF 2026

Sonali Uttamrao Landge                                   .. Petitioner

      Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Another                     .. Respondents

                            AND
               WRIT PETITION NO. 11307 OF 2026

Deepali Uttamrao Landge                                  .. Petitioner

      Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Another                     .. Respondents

                            AND
               WRIT PETITION NO. 11308 OF 2026

Rahul Ramrao Landge                                      .. Petitioner

      Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Another                     .. Respondents

                            AND
               WRIT PETITION NO. 11309 OF 2026

Madan Laxmanrao Landge                                   .. Petitioner

      Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Another                     .. Respondents

Mr. Sushant C. Yeramwar, Advocate for Petitioners.
Mr. P. K. Lakhotiya, Mr. S. R. Yadav-Lonikar, Mr. K. N. Lokhande,
Smt. S. S. Joshi, Mr. P. S. Patil, Mr. S. B. Pulkundwar, Mr. R. S.
Wani, AGP’s for Respondents-State in respective matters.

                        CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT AND
                                JITENDRA JAIN, JJ.
                        DATE       :   01st SEPTEMBER, 2026.
                                 3              4-wp 11222-2026+.odt


PER COURT :-

1.       Heard learned advocate for the petitioners.


2.       The petitioners are challenging show cause notices issued by

the committee – respondent No. 2 asking the petitioners as to why

the cases of petitioners shall not be reopened. The notices are

dated 30.07.2026 and 06.08.2026.


3.       The learned A.G.P., at the outset, raises the objection that,

now the committee is vested with the power to review its own

order. The said amendment is brought on the statute book on

22.07.2026       and   therefore, from     23.07.2026      onwards     the

committee has every power to reopen/review the cases.


4.       In view of the above, this Court finds that, there is no reason

to entertain the petitions. Therefore, the writ petitions stand

disposed of.



( JITENDRA JAIN, J.)                          ( KISHORE C. SANT, J. )



P.S.B.

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