Mohammed Mohsin Mohammed Amin Ansari v. Thr Sub-Divisional Forest Officer And ORS.

1/2 18 WP 3674-24.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 3674 OF 2024 Zaheer Usman Wadia ..

Petitioner

Versus

The Sub-Divisional Forest Officer and Ors.

..

Respondents WITH WRIT PETITION NO.3675 OF 2024 Mohammed Mohsin Mohammed Amin Ansari ..

Petitioner

Versus

The Sub-Divisional Forest Officer and Ors.

..

Respondents None for the Petitioners.

Mr. M.M. Pable, AGP for State - Respondent Nos.1 to 3 and 5. CORAM: BHARATI DANGRE & MANJUSHA DESHPANDE, JJ.

DATED : 23rd FEBRUARY, 2026 P.C:- 1.

Though on the last occasion, i.e. on 27/01/2026, the Government Advocate sought time to file reply, even today he is unable to file reply for want of approval from the higher authorities, and he inform us that a committee is constituted for scrutinizing the replies, that is the stand adopted in each petition relating to forest after the decision of the Apex Court in case of Rohan Vijay Nahar and ors vs. State of Maharashtra1.

2025 SCC Online SC 2366 Ashish

2/2 18 WP 3674-24.doc We have no difficulty in the State adopting a particular procedure and getting its replies/affidavit approved by the experts in the field, but definitely that cannot delay filing of the affidavits in reply, and particularly when the petition is pending before us for the last two years.

By way of last chance, we grant two weeks' time to file affidavit in reply.

List on 18/03/2026.

2.

We make it clear that if no reply affidavit is filed, the petition shall be heard by considering the pleadings to be not traversed and that the State Government is not opposing the petition. Interim relief, if any, to continue till the next date. (MANJUSHA DESHPANDE, J.) (BHARATI DANGRE, J.) Ashish