Bombay High Court

SUNIL TUKARAM BODKHEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS CHIEF SECRETARY AND OTHERS

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The Collector must decide the representation on its merits within twelve weeks of receiving the Court’s order.

Summary

Sunil Tukaram Bodkhe filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, challenging the inaction of the Collector regarding a representation filed on 1 June 2026 by him and the villagers of Taklibhan. The petitioner sought a judicial directive compelling the Collector to consider the representation and pass a decision on its merits. The Court examined whether the administrative authority had a duty to adjudicate the representation within a reasonable time. Finding no substantive hearing had taken place, the Court concluded that the Collector must act promptly. Accordingly, the petition was disposed of by ordering the Collector to decide the representation within twelve weeks of receipt of the order.

Issues considered

Whether the Collector is obligated to decide the representation of the petitioners and the villagers of Taklibhan village filed on 1 June 2026.

Subjects

writ petition
administrative law
representation
local governance
direction to authority

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:39621-DB

{1}
19 sr.no..odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD

WRIT PETITION NO. 9919 OF 2026
Sunil Tukaram Bodkhe
….Petitioner
VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Chief Secretary And Others
…..Respondent
…..
Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Kale Ajeet B.
AGP for Respondents: Ms. N. B. Kamble.

CORAM : N.B. SURYAWANSHI &
ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.

DATE : 31 AUGUST, 2026.

P.C.:-

The writ petition is disposed of by directing the respondent
No.5 - Collector, to decide the representation of the petitioners and
villagers of village Taklibhan, dated 1.6.2026, if not already decided, on
its own merits within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of
this order.

[ABASAHEB D. SHINDE] [N.B. SURYAWANSHI]
JUDGE JUDGE

grt/-

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