Bombay High Court
LATE K.G. KATARIA COLLEGE BHIMTHADI EDUCATION SOCIETY THRO. SECRETARYversusSAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY THR. ITS REGISTRAR
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The Court held that the writ petition is disposed as the university has granted continuation of approval for the In‑Charge Principal from 12 July 2026 to 11 January 2027 and must consider the representation for the earlier gap period.
Summary
The petitioners, representing Late K. G. Kataria College, sought a further six‑month continuation of approval for their In‑Charge Principal after the university had granted a new approval period from 12 July 2026 to 11 January 2027. The petitioners highlighted a gap in approval from 12 June 2025 to 11 July 2026 and requested that the university consider a representation to recognize the In‑Charge Principal’s service during that period and to ensure salary payments. The court noted the university’s communication dated 30 August 2026 granting the continuation and directed the university to consider the representation for the gap period. Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed, with the university instructed to process salary payments for the fresh period. No costs were awarded.
Issues considered
- Whether the writ petition seeking continuation of approval for the In‑Charge Principal should be disposed in view of the university's decision granting a new approval period
- Whether the university should consider the petitioners' representation for the gap period of 12 June 2025 to 11 July 2026
Subjects
- higher education
- appointment of principal
- continuation of approval
- writ petition
- university administration
Judgment
sr.4-wp-3521-2026.doc
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 8521 OF 2026
Late K. G. Kataria College Bhimthadi
Education Society thr. Secretary & Anr. .. Petitioners
Versus
MANSI Savitribai Phule Pune University thr.
DHANANJAY
SHELKE Its Registrar & Ors. .. Respondents
Digitally signed by
MANSI DHANANJAY
SHELKE
Date: 2026.09.01
Adv. Sugandh Deshmukh a/w Adv. Aniket Kanawade, Adv. Vaibhav T.
10:43:38 +0530
for the Petitioners.
Mr. P. P. Kakade, AGP a/w Ms. Devyani S. Deshmukh, AGP for State.
Adv. Rajendra Anbhule for Respondent Nos. 1 to 5.
CORAM: R.I CHAGLA &
FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, JJ.
DATE: AUGUST 31, 2026
P. C.
1. Mr. Sugandh Deshmukh, the learned counsel appearing for the
Petitioners, states that the proposal of the Petitioners submitted pursuant to
the Order dated 28th July, 2026 for considering a further period of six months
for continuation of approval to In-Charge Principal of Petitioner No.2 college,
has been granted vide the decision taken by the Respondent University and
communicated on 30th August, 2026 to the Petitioners. He has tendered the
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said communication/ decision dated 30 th August, 2026, which is taken on
record and marked ‘X’ for identification.
2. Mr. Deshmukh submitted that the continuation of approval
granted for In-Charge Principal is for the period from 12 th July, 2026 to 11th
January 2027, or until a regular appointment is made to the post of Principal,
whichever occurs earlier, subject to prescribed terms and conditions. He
submitted that there is a gap between the initial approval and the approval
now granted, which gap is from 12th June 2025 till 11th July 2026. He stated
that a representation will be made by the Petitioners to Respondent No.1
University for the continuation of approval of In-Charge Principal for the
aforesaid gap period, in order for Respondent No.1 University to consider
that the In-Charge Principal had acted in that capacity during the aforesaid
gap period. His statement is accepted.
3. In view of the above statement and the decision taken by
Respondent No.1 University vide communication/ decision dated 30 th
August, 2026 (marked ‘X’) whereby the approval has been granted for
continuation of In-Charge Principal for the period from 12 th July, 2026 to 11th
January, 2027, the Writ Petition is accordingly required to be disposed of.
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4. Respondent No.1 University shall consider the representation of
the Petitioners for the continuation of approval for In-Charge Principal for
the aforesaid gap period considering that the In-Charge Principal has acted
during the said gap period as well. The payment of salary to the In-Charge
Principal and the staff of Petitioner No.2 college shall also be considered for
the fresh period by Respondent No.6 viz, from 12 th July, 2026 to 11th January,
2027, and shall be paid in view of the continuation of approval having been
granted for the In-Charge Principal.
5. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of in the above terms.
There shall be no order as to costs.
[FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J.] [R. I. CHAGLA, J.]
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