Bombay High Court

MUKUND PRABHAKAR KULKARNIversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Court held that the Collector must decide the representation on its merits within eight weeks of the first appearance of the parties.

Summary

Mukund Prabhakar Kulkarni filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, challenging the delay by the Collector in deciding his representation dated 04‑03‑2025. The petitioner contended that the failure to decide violated his right to a timely administrative remedy. The Court examined whether the Collector was obligated to adjudicate the representation on its merits after hearing all concerned parties. Finding no sufficient cause for further postponement, the Court directed the Collector to decide the representation within eight weeks of the first appearance of the parties. Accordingly, the petition was disposed with this direction.

Issues considered

Whether the Collector is duty-bound to decide the petitioner's representation on its merits within a reasonable time after hearing all concerned parties

Subjects

writ petition
administrative delay
representation
collector
timely decision
hearing

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:34904-DB
                                            1                           30.WP.9258.26.odt

                        IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                   BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                               WRIT PETITION NO.9258 OF 2026

                               MUKUND PRABHAKAR KULKARNI
                                          VERSUS
                           THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH
                                 ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS

                                                 ...
                Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Nagarkar Kiran M. (through V.C.)
                           AGP for Respondent/State : Mr. B.B. Bhise
                                                 ...


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


                                  DATE          : 06.08.2026


             PER COURT:

                          Writ petition is disposed of by directing respondent No.4 –

             Collector to decide the representation of the petitioner dated

             04.03.2025, if not already decided, on its own merits and after hearing

             all the concerned, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the first

             date of appearance of all the concerned parties.



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


             habeeb/

Continue reading with your account

Checking your session…