Santosh Shrimant Jadhav v. The State Of Maharashtra And ORS

22-PIL.106.2025.doc JVS.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 106 OF 2025 Santosh Shrimant Jadhav } Petitioner versus State of Maharashtra & Ors.

} Respondents JAYANT VISHWANATH SALUNKE JAYANT VISHWANATH SALUNKE Date: 2025.11.18 18:57:39 +0530 Mr. Pranav Nair i/b. Mr. Kishore N. Sriyan, Advocates for the Petitioner.

Ms. Neha S. Bhide, Government Pleader with Mr. O. A. Chandurkar, Additional Government Pleader and Ms. G. R. Raghuwanshi, AGP for State.

CORAM:

SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, CJ. & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.

DATE:

17th NOVEMBER 2025 P.C.:

By this Public Interest Litigation (PIL) the petitioner prays for the following reliefs: - "A] Issue a Writ of Quo Warranto or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, calling upon Respondent No. 5, Shri. Shirish Gangadharrao Aradwad, to show by what authority he holds the office of Chief Fire Officer and City Engineer within the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, and upon being satisfied that he is holding the said office illegally and without lawful authority, remove him forthwith from the said office;

B} Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, directing Respondent No. 2 and Respondent No. 3 to forthwith initiate a thorough, impartial, and time-bound inquiry into all appointments, promotions, and additional charges granted to Shri. Shirish Gangadharrao Aradwad, verifying his eligibility against prescribed service rules for each post; C} Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, directing Respondent No. 2 and Respondent No. 3 to take immediate corrective action, including relieving Shri. Shirish Gangadharrao Aradwad from all posts for which he is found ineligible, and initiating appropriate disciplinary proceedings against

22-PIL.106.2025.doc all officials responsible for these alleged irregularities, including past and present Municipal Commissioners and other officers involved; D] Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, directing Respondent No. 2 and Respondent No. 3 to ensure strict adherence to all applicable service rules, eligibility criteria, and government orders for all future appointments and promotions within the NMMC;

E] this Hon'ble Court be pleased to direct Respondent no. 1 to appoint appropriate/eligible City Engineer and separate Chief Fire Officer for Respondent no. 3;

F] this Hon'ble court be pleased to direct the Seniority List dated 01.01.2025 be declared null and void."

2.

After arguing for some time, the learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the PIL petition with liberty to file fresh petition, if so advised.

3.

Public Interest Litigation No. 106 of 2025 is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty as prayed for.

[GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.] [CHIEF JUSTICE]