Dattatray Tanaji Shinde And ORS v. The State Of Maharashtra And ORS

8-PIL-83-2025.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 83 OF 2025 Dattatray Tanaji Shinde And Ors ... Petitioners

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Ors.

... Respondents ------ Mr. Ajay Bhise a/w Deepali Kedar, Manoj Sabale, Somvrat Kurlekar for the Petitioners.

Ms. T. J. Kapre, A.G.P. for the Respondent-State. ------ Coram : R.G. AVACHAT & AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, JJ.

Date : 12th January 2026.

PER COURT :

1.

This Public Interest Litigation has been filed seeking the following main relief:

"(a) Issue a writ of Mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction in the nature thereof, thereby directing the Respondents to forthwith initiate and complete the statutory process for declaring Kabnur, Taluka Hatkanangale, District Kolhapur, as a Municipal Council under the provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965;" 2.

In response to the order dated 19th November 2025, the RespondentState has filed an affidavit-in-reply stating that, as local body elections are around the corner, no decision in this regard would be taken immediately. Shubham 1 of

8-PIL-83-2025.doc 3.

The copy of the reply filed by Respondent No. 2 is taken on record and marked 'X' for identification. In paragraph 9 of the said affidavit, it is stated as under:

"9. I say that, the proposal to convert Kabanur Gram Panchayat in Kolhapur district into a Municipal Council can be considered by the Government after the elections to the local bodies are over." 4.

Learned Counsel for the Petitioner submits that he would be content with if a direction is issued to the State Government to decide the said proposal at the earliest, and in any case within a period of eight months from the date of conclusion of the concerned local body elections. 5.

In view thereof, the State Government is directed to decide the said proposal at the earliest, and in any case within a period of eight months from the date of conclusion of the concerned local body elections. 6.

Public Interest Litigation stands disposed of. [ AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J. ] [ R.G. AVACHAT, J. ] TALLE SHUBHAM ASHOKRAO TALLE SHUBHAM ASHOKRAO Date: 2026.01.13 18:28:11 +0530 Shubham 2 of