Nilesh Popat Satpute And Others v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Principal Secretary And Others

( 1 )

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 53 WRIT PETITION NO. 11488 OF 2025 ANITA SAJJANRAO SALUNKE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS AND 68 WRIT PETITION NO. 11526 OF 2025 KAILAS DEVIDAS PAGARE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH SECRETARY AND OTHERS AND WRIT PETITION NO. 11564 OF 2025 NILESH POPAT SATPUTE AND OTHERS

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH SECRETARY AND OTHERS .....

Sr. Advocate for the Petitioner in WP/11488/25 : Mr. R.N. Dhorde i/b. V. R. Dhorde a/w. P.S. Dighe Advocate for the Petitioner in WP/11526/25 : Mr. D.P. Palodkar h/f. A.S. Sawant Advocate for Petitioner in WP/11564/25 : Mr. Shubham Khoche GP / AGP for Respondents/State : Mr. A.B. Girase & Mr. S.D. Ghayal .....

CORAM : MANISH PITALE & Y.G. KHOBRAGADE, JJ.

DATE :

22nd September, 2025 P.C. :- 1.

Writ Petition No.11564/2025 is not on board. Taken on board upon mentioning.

( 2 ) 2.

In these petitions, a common issue is raised with regard to the manner in which reservation by rotation is to be implemented as per Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Manner and Rotation of Reservation of Seats) Rules, 2025.

3.

The learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners are pressing for relief in these petitions, while the learned GP informs this Court that a similar challenge raised in a bunch of petitions before the Nagpur Bench of this Court i.e. in Writ Petition No.5061/2025 and connected petitions, was repulsed by an order dated 19.09.2025. According to the learned GP, these petitions are covered by the said judgment and hence they deserve to be dismissed.

4.

We are informed that a Special Leave Petition filed against the aforesaid judgment of the Nagpur Bench of this Court is to come up for hearing before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in near future. 5.

Additionally, we are informed that in Special Leave Petition (Civil) No.19756/2021 (Rahul Ramesh Wagh V/s. State of Maharashtra & Others), while considering the question of reservation for OBCs while conducting the local body elections in the State of Maharashtra in a recent order dated 16.09.2025, the Hon'ble Supreme Court observed as follows:

( 3 ) "9.

At this juncture, we are informed that various writ petitions have been filed before different Benches of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay questioning the delimitation exercise or reservation of wards etc. The State of Maharashtra/State Election Commission may seek clubbing of all these petitions before one Bench and such a prayer may be sympathetically considered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay."

6.

In that light, the learned GP makes a statement that appropriate steps will be taken on the administrative side to move the Hon'ble Chief Justice for clubbing of all such petitions that may be filed in various benches of this Court.

7.

Needless to say that Petitioners are also at liberty to move the Hon'ble Chief Justice on the administrative side for the purpose of clubbing the petitions.

8.

In view of the above, list these petitions for further consideration on 30.09.2025 in the urgent orders category. [Y.G. KHOBRAGADE, J.] [MANISH PITALE, J.] mub