Bombay High Court

PRITEE LAHU PETKARversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHER

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court directed the Committee to decide the petitioner’s tribe claim within six months and disposed of the petition.

Summary

Petitioner Pritee Lahu Petkar, a student, filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the Committee to decide her pending tribe claim, which has been unresolved since 29 January 2024, so she can obtain a validity certificate for further studies. The petitioner argued that the delay adversely affected her educational prospects. The Court examined the prayer and found no impediment to directing the Committee to act within a reasonable timeframe. Accordingly, the Court ordered the Committee to decide the tribe claim within six months from the date of the order. The petition was then disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the Court can direct the Committee to decide the petitioner’s tribe claim within a stipulated period of six months

Subjects

tribal claim
validity certificate
writ petition
direction
student
administrative law

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:41068-DB

916-WP.11775.2026.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
916 WRIT PETITION NO. 11775 OF 2026
Pritee Lahu Petkar
VERSUS
The State of Maharashtra Thr Its Secretary And Another
...
Mr. G. B. Patankar h/f. Mr. S. M. Vibhute, Advocate for the Petitioner.
Mr. P. S. Patil, AGP for Respondent Nos.1 & 2.
...
CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT &
JITENDRA JAIN, JJ.
DATE : 4th SEPTEMBER, 2026
PER COURT :

1. Heard learned advocate for the petitioner and learned AGP for

respondent nos.1 and 2.

2. Looking to the prayer in the petition, petition is taken up for

final disposal.

3. The prayer is only for a direction to respondent no.2-

Committee to decide the tribe claim of the petitioner within a

stipulated period. The claim of the petitioner is pending since

29.01.2024. Considering that the petitioner is a student and she

requires validity certificate for pursuing her further studies, we

request the Committee to decide the tribe claim of the petitioner

within a period of six months from today.

4. With above direction, petition stands disposed off.

(JITENDRA JAIN, J.) (KISHORE C. SANT, J.)
Sayyed 1/1

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