Gopal So Baliram Kale v. State Of Maharashtra
Digitally signed by GAURI AMIT GAEKWAD Date:
2025.04.19 10:53:50 +0530 GAURI AMIT GAEKWAD
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
(14) WRIT PETITION NO.2408 OF 2025 Jayshri Shantaram Patil and Ors.
....Petitioners
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Anr. ....Respondents AND
(15) WRIT PETITION NO.2409 OF 2025 Krushna Suryabhan Gaikwad and Ors. ....Petitioners
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Anr. ....Respondents AND
(55) WRIT PETITION NO.18667 OF 2024 Gopal Baliram Kale and Ors.
....Petitioners
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Ors. ....Respondents ---- Ms. Pradnya Talekar a/w. Ms. Madhavi Ayyappan i/b. Talekar and Associates for the Petitioners in all Petitions. Mr. B.V. Samant, Addl. GP a/w. Ms. P.N. Diwan, AGP for the State in WP/2408/2025.
Mr. B.V. Samant, Addl. GP a/w. Ms. P.M.J. Deshpande, AGP for the State in WP/2409/2025.
Mr. B.V. Samant, Addl. GP a/w. Ms. T.J. Kapre, AGP for the State in WP/18667/2024.
---- CORAM : RAVINDRA V. GHUGE & ASHWIN D. BHOBE, JJ.
DATE : 16th APRIL, 2025 P.C. :- 1.
We have considered the submissions of the learned Advocate for the Petitioners and the learned AGP. Keeping in view the checkered history of litigation, we have perused the last order
passed by this Court (Coram : Nitin W. Sambre and Ashwin D. Bhobe, JJ.) dated 23rd January, 2025. This Court had recorded an impression of a lethargic approach on the part of the State Government, in particular, the School Education Department. Consequentially, this Court observed in paragraph nos.2 and 3, as under :
2. The lethargic approach on the part of the State Government particularly with the School Education Department can be noticed from the fact that but for the meetings being held in the month of August, 2024, nothing positive is placed on record thereby indicating any decision if taken so as to resolve the issue which is sought to be canvassed through Writ Petition.
3. A meager remuneration of Rs.7000/- is being offered which is even less than the salary paid to the peon of the State Government. In this background if the decision taken by the committee and further progress is not place on record within a period of four weeks as has been prayed by the Assistant Government Pleader, we direct the Addition Chief Secretary, Department of School Education to remain present before this Court so as to enable this Court to frame charge under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 against the said Officer.
2.
The learned Addl. GP has made a valiant attempt to convey to us that some progress is being made.
3.
We are pained to record that no progress, as expected by the Court keeping in view the litigation history, has been made. Hence, we have no option, but, to direct the Principal Secretary, Department of School Education, to remain present in this Court on 21st April, 2025, in the light of the earlier order dated 23rd January, 2025.
4.
List this Petition in the fresh admissions category, on 21st April, 2025.
(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) (RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.)