Bombay High Court

GOVIND MADHAVRAO CHAUDHARI AND OTHERSversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHER

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

A public authority must decide representations on its own merit and cannot delay beyond a reasonable period.

Summary

Govind Madhavrao Chaudhari and others filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, challenging the State of Maharashtra’s failure to consider their representations dated 1 October 2024 and 3 August 2026. They contended that the State’s inaction violated their right to a fair administrative decision and caused undue delay. The Court examined whether the State, in view of the Government Resolution dated 21 June 2023, was bound to adjudicate the representations on their own merit. The Bench held that a public authority must act on representations without indefinite postponement and must give them due consideration. Accordingly, the Court directed Respondent No. 1 to decide the representations within six weeks of receipt of the order. No further relief was granted and the writ petition was disposed.

Issues considered

Whether the State of Maharashtra is obligated to decide the petitioners' representations within a reasonable time under administrative law

Subjects

Writ Petition
Administrative Law
Right to Fair Hearing
Government Resolution
Delay
Public Authority

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:43028-DB


                                                   {1}                  14-wp-12212-2026

                                 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
                                            BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                     14 WRIT PETITION NO. 12212 OF 2026

                             Govind Madhavrao Chaudhari And Others
                                              VERSUS
                               The State Of Maharashtra And Another
                                                  ...
              Mr. R.D. Biradar, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Ms. Neha Kamble, AGP for State
                                                .......

                                          CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND
                                                  ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.


                                             DATE : 21st SEPTEMBER, 2026
              PER COURT :

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

              decide representations of the Petitioners dated 01.10.2024 and

              03.08.2026, on their own merit and in the light of Government

              Resolution dated 21st June, 2023, within a period of six weeks from the

              date of receipt of copy of this order.



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




              Bhagyawant Punde

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