The Union Of India Through The Secretary And Others v. Mahadeo Nana Nagargoje And Others
2025:BHC-AUG:37169-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 158 CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 9816 OF 2025 IN PIL/22/2024 THE UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE SECRETARY AND OTHERS
VERSUS
MAHADEO NANA NAGARGOJE AND OTHERS ...
Mr. R.D. Sanap, Standing Counsel for Applicants. Mr. N.L. Jadhav, Advocate for Resp. Nos. 1 to 3. Mr. V.M. Kagne A.P.P. for Resp. Nos.4 and 5.
...
CORAM: SMT. VIBHA KANKANWADI AND HITEN S. VENEGAVKAR, JJ.
DATE : 22nd DECEMBER, 2025 ORDER :
1.
Present Application has been filed for grant of extension of time to complete the work which was directed in the Public Interest Litigation No.22 of 2024 by order dated 18th July 2024. 2.
Learned Standing Counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants have endeavoured that the project should be completed by 31st December 2024, however it could not be completed and therefore, present Application has been filed. There are various objections raised by the local persons because
of which the work could not be completed. Substantial progress has been made, yet, some persons are raising dispute in respect of right of way and they are taking objection that without acquisition process the said part which is going to affect by the project way, should not be completed. The work is likely to be completed by 31st May 2026.
2.
Learned Advocate for the original petitioners i.e. respondent Nos. 1 to 3 raised strong objection on the ground that as per the order passed by this Court, the project ought to have been completed by 31st December 2024. At that time itself 75% of the project was completed. No extension was sought prior to the period that was noted in the order dated 18th July 2024. Now after the gap of so many months the present Application has been filed. The petitioners have filed Contempt Petition NO.503 of 2025 and now in order to avoid action being taken against the applicants they have approached this Court. 3.
Though in the Application it is stated that the project would be completed by 31st May 2026, we would like to say that in the order dated 18th July 2024 itself, the statement was made that 75% of work is already over. For remaining 25% of work it would not take almost one year and in fact there is no explanation for
filing the application belatedly, in a sense that the extension ought to have been sought prior to the time limit that was given. No doubt it is a public project and therefore, we need not take the stringent view every time but that does not mean that the Government servants or the public authorities should do nothing till the last minute comes. In views of the fact that there is a public exchequer involved, we grant extension of time till 31st March 2026 for completion of the work. No more extension will be granted and if the work is not completed then the original petitioners may go ahead with the contempt proceedings. 4.
Learned Standing Counsel Mr. Sanap has taken instructions from Mr. Gajanan Kamlakar Sidlambe, Sub Divisional Officer, Majalgaon and made a statement that every endeavour would be made to complete the said project on or before 31st March 2026.
5.
The Civil Application stands disposed of, accordingly. [HITEN S. VENEGAVKAR] [SMT. VIBHA KANKANWADI] JUDGE JUDGE asb/DEC25