Bombay High Court

DEEPALI UTTAMRAO LANDGEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The amendment granting the Committee power to review its own orders from 23 July 2026 bars the petitioners' challenge, leading to dismissal of the writ petitions.

Summary

The petitioners filed multiple writ petitions challenging show‑cause notices issued by the Committee (respondent No. 2) that demanded explanations for why their cases should not be reopened. The Committee relied on an amendment to the governing statute, effective 23 July 2026, which vested it with the power to review and reopen its own orders. The State, through its Attorney‑General, argued that the amendment gave the Committee absolute authority to revisit its decisions, rendering the petitioners' challenges untenable. The Court examined whether the amendment validly conferred such retrospective review power and whether the petitioners could seek relief against the show‑cause notices. Finding that the statutory amendment clearly authorized the Committee to reopen cases and that no other ground was raised, the Court concluded there was no basis to entertain the writ petitions. Consequently, all the writ petitions were dismissed and the matter was disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the amendment to the statute, effective 23 July 2026, empowers the Committee to review and reopen its own orders.
Whether the petitioners can challenge the show‑cause notices issued by the Committee under the amended statutory framework.
Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to entertain the writ petitions in light of the Committee's newly conferred powers.

Subjects

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

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:40165-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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