Bombay High Court

SANTOSH PANDIT RATHODversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF
Bench: N B SURYAWANSHI VAISHALI PATIL JADHAV

Holding

The respondents are directed to decide the petitioner's representation on its merits within twelve weeks of receipt of this order.

Summary

Santosh Pandit Rathod filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court seeking relief against the State of Maharashtra and others for not deciding his representation dated 9 April 2021. The petitioner alleged that the respondents had failed to consider his representation on its merits, violating his right to a fair hearing. The Court examined whether the respondents were obligated to decide the representation within a reasonable time. It held that the respondents must adjudicate the representation on its merits and set a specific timeline. Accordingly, the Court disposed of the petition by directing the respondents to decide the representation within twelve weeks of receiving the order.

Issues considered

Whether the respondents are required to decide the petitioner's representation dated 9 April 2021 on its merits
Whether a time‑bound order is necessary to enforce the petitioner's right to a fair hearing

Subjects

writ petition
representation
administrative law
natural justice
time‑bound order
High Court

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:15760-DB


                                                {1}                   wp1897-22.doc
                 drp
                         IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
                                    BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                                 WRIT PETITION NO.1897 OF 2022

                 Santosh Pandit Rathod                                PETITIONER

                        VERSUS

                 The State of Maharashtra and Others                 RESPONDENTS

                                               .......
                 Mr. D. K. Dagadkhair, Advocate for the Petitioner
                 Mr. S. S. Joshi, AGP for Respondent - State
                                                ....…

                             [CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, &
                                       VAISHALI PATIL-JADHAV, J. J.]

                                     DATE : 8th APRIL, 2026

                 ORDER :

                        The Writ Petition is disposed of by directing Respondents

                 No.1 to 4, to decide the Petitioner’s representation dated 9 th

                 April, 2021 (Exhibit-F), on its own merits, within a period of 12

                 weeks from the date of receipt of writ of this order, if it is not

                 already decided.



                 [ VAISHALI PATIL-JADHAV ]            [ NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI ]
                           JUDGE                                   JUDGE

                 drp/wp1897-22.doc

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