Girish Laxman Suryawanshi v. Secretary, Rural Development Department

2026:BHC-AS:16778 Bhogale 20.cp-397-2024.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CONTEMPT PETITION NO.397 OF 2024 IN WRIT PETITION NO.14570 OF 2018 Girish Laxman Suryawanshi and ors.

... Petitioners

Versus

The Secretary, Rural Development Department and anr.

.... Respondents **** Adv. Niranjan Bhavake a/w Adv. Drishti Madhani, Adv. Anurag Ramekar, Adv. Vaishnavi Chore i/b. Bhavake and Associate Advocates, for the petitioners.

Mr. A. I. Patel, Addl.G.P. a/w Smt. R. A. Salunkhe, AGP, for the respondent-State.

**** CORAM :

M. S. KARNIK & S. M. MODAK, JJ.

DATE :

8th APRIL, 2026 P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2.

The grievance of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that the communication dated 17/06/2022 which disposed of the representation made by the petitioners dated 27/04/2017 was never communicated to them. It is only after the affidavit-in-reply was filed by the State Government to which the decision dated 17/06/2022 is annexed that the petitioners became aware of such

Bhogale 20.cp-397-2024.odt decision. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the representation has not been decided within the time stipulated by this Court vide order dated 03/12/2021. However, the learned Additional Government Pleader submitted that there was no willful intention to defy the orders passed by this Court and the only reason was that information had to be obtained from various departments before considered decision could be taken on the representation made by the petitioners. We find that there is a substantial compliance of the order, and mere delay in deciding the representation should not be a factor to stall a decision on this contempt petition, particularly in view of the explanation tendered by the learned Additional Government Pleader and considering that the petitioners have a remedy of challenging the order dated 17/06/2022 before the appropriate forum by filing appropriate proceedings.

3.

Keeping all contentions on merits as regards the decision dated 17/06/2022 open, the contempt petition is disposed of. (S. M. MODAK, J.) (M. S. KARNIK, J.) Signed by: Pradnya Bhogale Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 08/04/2026 18:23:13