Bombay High Court

PRATIK SANTOSH NAIK AND 4 ORSversusSTATE OF GOA THR CHIEF SECRETARY AND 2 ORS

Disposal: Disposed of

Holding

The petition is dismissed as the relief sought has already been granted, rendering the petition moot.

Summary

The petitioners, selected through an advertisement dated 5 December 2025 for the post of Extension Officer, filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the State of Goa to issue appointment letters. The respondents produced an order dated 2 September 2026 showing that appointment letters had already been issued to four of the seven selected candidates, including the petitioners. The court observed that since the relief sought—issuance of appointment letters—had already been granted, the petition no longer had any surviving cause of action. Consequently, the court disposed of the petition without further adjudication on the merits. The decision underscores that a petition becomes moot when the relief sought is fulfilled.

Issues considered

What is the appropriate judicial response when a petition seeks a direction to issue appointment letters that have already been issued?

Subjects

appointment letters
public service recruitment
writ petition
administrative law
mootness

Judgment

                                                         80 WP 1210 2026

                          Meena

                                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA
                                           WRIT PETITION NO.1210 OF 2026

                    PRATIK SANTOSH NAIK AND 4 ORS                              ... PETITIONERS
                      Versus
                    STATE OF GOA THR CHIEF SECRETARY
                    AND 2 ORS                                                  ... RESPONDENTS


                    Ms. Osvila Fernandes, Advocate for the Petitioners.
                    Mr. Neehal Vernekar, Additional Government Advocate for
                    Respondent Nos.1 and 2.


                                             CORAM:- VALMIKI MENEZES &
                                                     AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, JJ.
                                             DATED :- 8th September, 2026

                    P.C.:
                    1.           The Petitioners seek direction to Respondent No.2 to issue
                    appointment letters for the post of Extension Officer pursuant their
                    selection on advertisement dated 05.12.2025.
                    2.      Mr Vernekar placed on record an order dated 02.09.2026 by
                    which 4 Petitioners amongst a total of 7 candidates have been
                    issued appointment letters. In view of these appointment letters
                    being issued, the relief in the petition does not survive and in that
                    view of the matter the petition stands disposed of.



                      AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J.                       VALMIKI MENEZES, J.


Signed by: MEENA VISHAL BHOIR
Designation: Private Secretary
                                                            Page 1 of 1
Date: 09/09/2026 16:32:45
                                                         8th September, 2026

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