Sunanda Ramesh Kharait Kulkarni v. Mr. Balasaheb Mhaske

2026:BHC-AS:8231-DB

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CONTEMPT PETITION NO.30 OF 2026 IN WRIT PETITION NO.7518 OF 2019 Sunanda Ramesh Kharait (Kulkarni) ... Petitioner

Versus

Mr. Balasaheb Mhaske and Ors.

.... Respondents **** Adv. Ghanasham S. Jadhav, for the Petitioner. Smt. Pooja Patil, AGP, for the Respondent-State. **** CORAM :

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

DATE :

17th FEBRUARY, 2026 P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2.

The order breached is dated 15th March 2023. By this order the Respondent No.3 was directed to conduct and conclude the necessary enquiry as ordered by the order dated 16th September 2013 passed by the Additional Collector, Pune within a period of six months from the date of appearance of the Petitioner before the Tahsildar. The Petitioner duly appeared before the Tahsildar on 31st March 2023. It is undisputed that till today, the

order passed by this Court has not been complied with. We had therefore called upon the learned AGP for the reasons why the order passed by this Court is not complied with. We had also indicated that if there is no satisfactory explanation, a serious view of the matter may be taken.

3.

Learned counsel for the Petitioner has been graceful in submitting that what the Petitioner really wants is a decision in terms of the operative portion of clause 4(a) of the order dated 15th March 2023. We appreciate the fair stand on the part of the Petitioner. It is now expected of the Tahsildar to comply with the order passed by this Court within the extended time which we are granting reluctantly and in view of the concession given by the learned counsel for the Petitioner.

4.

Learned AGP has placed on record a copy of the communication dated 17th February 2026 addressed by the Tahsildar Shirur Pune to her in which some reasons are stated as to why the order could not be complied with. The reasons are not really satisfactory. Nonetheless, in the communication it is stated that ten days period is required to take a decision and it is assured that an appropriate decision after hearing the Petitioner would be

taken within a period of 10 days. In view of the persuasive submissions of learned AGP, we are inclined to pass the following order :-

O R D E R

(i) The Petitioner shall appear before the Tahsildar Shirur Pune along with a copy of this order on 20th February 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

(ii) Within a period of two weeks therefrom the order dated 15th March 2023 passed by this Court and the directions contained therein shall be duly complied with as assured by the Tahsildar Shirur Pune.

(iii) The decision taken thereon shall be duly communicated to the Petitioner.

5.

The Contempt Petition is disposed of.

(S. M. MODAK, J.) (M. S. KARNIK, J.) Signed by: Pradnya Bhogale Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 17/02/2026 19:03:18