Bombay High Court

MANDHIR PRAKASHRAO DEOKARversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR THE SECRETARY AND ANOTHER

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court held that the State must decide the pending representations on its own merits within six months.

Summary

The petitioner, Mandhir Prakashrao Deokar, filed writ petition 12138 of 2026 before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad bench, challenging the inaction of the State of Maharashtra (Respondent No.2) on his representations dated 04‑12‑2025 and 05‑01‑2026. He alleged that the failure to consider the representations violated his right to a fair and timely administrative decision. The Court examined whether the State had a duty to adjudicate pending representations on its own merits within a reasonable time. Relying on principles of natural justice and administrative law, the Court held that the State must not unduly delay decisions. Accordingly, the Court directed Respondent No.2 to decide the pending representations, if not already decided, on its own merits within six months of receipt of the order. The writ petition was disposed.

Issues considered

Whether the State's failure to decide the petitioner’s pending representations violates his right to a timely administrative decision
Whether the Court can compel the State to decide the pending representations on its own merits within a specified period

Subjects

writ petition
administrative law
right to speedy decision
natural justice
High Court
Maharashtra

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:42704-DB


                                                  *1*                    32-wp-12138-2026


                           IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                       BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                32 WRIT PETITION NO. 12138 OF 2026

                                   Mandhir Prakashrao Deokar
                                           VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra Through The Secretary And Another
                                               ...
                Ms. Ashwini Deshpande, Mr. Abhishek C. Deshpande, Advocate
                for the Petitioner
                Ms. N. B. Kamble, AGP for Respondents/State
                                               ...

                                       CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI &
                                               ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
                                       DATE : 16th SEPTEMBER 2026

                P. C. :-

                1.         Writ Petition is disposed of by directing Respondent No.2

                to decide the pending representations of the petitioner dated

                04.12.2025 and 05.01.2026, if already not decided, on its own

                merits and within a period of six (6) months from the date of

                receipt of copy of this order.




                (ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.)                (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)




                Narwade

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