Bombay High Court
CYRIL NIKODEMAS BHOSALEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND ORS
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The Court held that the Education Officer must decide the pending proposal within four weeks of the order.
Summary
The petitioner, a qualified teacher, was appointed as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) by a minority educational institution in 2019. The institution forwarded his proposal for personal approval to the Education Officer (Secondary) of the Zilla Parishad, Pune on 19 August 2020. Despite repeated follow‑ups, the approval remained pending for over six years. The petitioner filed a writ petition seeking a direction for the Education Officer to decide the proposal within a reasonable time. The Court directed the Education Officer to decide the pending proposal within four weeks of the order and disposed of the petition without costs.
Issues considered
- Whether the Education Officer is required to decide the pending proposal for personal approval of the petitioner's appointment within a reasonable time.
Subjects
- appointment
- personal approval
- administrative delay
- writ petition
- education
- minority institution
Judgment
406- WP(L)-15111-2026.DOC
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO.11603 OF 2026
Cyril Nikodemas Bhosale ...Petitioner
Versus
The State of Maharashtra
Thr, Its Principal Secretary & Ors. ...Respondents
_______
Mr Sachin Pawar, i/b Shailesh Chavan, for Petitioner.
Ms P M Joshi Deshpande, AGP for Respondents-State.
_______
CORAM: G. S. KULKARNI &
DR. NEELA GOKHALE, JJ.
DATE: 10th SEPTEMBER 2026
P.C.
1. Heard Mr. Pawar learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Ms.
Deshpande learned AGP representing the State.
2. The Petitioner is a qualified teacher who was appointed as Shikshan Sevak
(Secondary) by Respondent No.5 - The Poona Diocesan Educational
Society (a minority educational institution running St. Joseph Boys High
School, Khadki, Pune, which serves minority students) vide appointment
order dated 01/09/2019. The proposal for personal approval of the
Petitioner's appointment as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) was forwarded by
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406- WP(L)-15111-2026.DOC
the institution through the headmaster to the office of Respondent No.3 -
Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, Pune on 19 th August 2020,
with all requisite details and documents. Despite repeated follow-ups and
personal visits to the office of Respondent No.3 as well as the Divisional
Deputy Director of Education, Pune, the said proposal has remained
pending for more than 6 years, without any decision being taken thereon.
3. By this Writ Petition, the Petitioner seeks a direction to Respondent No.3 -
Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, Pune, to decide the proposal
dated 19/08/2020 for personal approval of the Petitioner's appointment as
Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) in St. Joseph Boys High School, Khadki, Pune,
in a time-bound manner.
4. Considering the averments made in the Petition and the reliefs sought,
Respondent No.3 is directed to consider and decide the proposal dated
19/08/2020 for personal approval of the Petitioner's appointment as
Shikshan Sevak (Secondary), within a period of four weeks from the date on
which this order is communicated to it.
5. Keeping all the contentions open in that regard, the Writ Petition stands
disposed of. No costs.
(DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J) (G. S. KULKARNI, J.)
Digitally
signed by
SHAMBHAVI
SHAMBHAVI NILESH
NILESH SHIVGAN
SHIVGAN Date:
2026.09.16
12:19:03
+0530
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