Kailas Bhima Gunjal v. Rajesh Kumar Mina
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CONTEMPT PETITION NO.31 OF 2026 Digitally signed by SONALI MILIND PATIL Date:
2026.04.29 11:20:17 +0530 IN WRIT PETITION NO. 6134 OF 2021 SONALI MILIND PATIL Kailas Bhima Gunjal & Anr.
....Petitioners
Versus
Rajesh Kumar Mina.
Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra & Ors.
....Respondents WITH CONTEMPT PETITION NO.32 OF 2026 IN WRIT PETITION NO. 13154 OF 2022 Pradeep Ramchandra Shinde & Anr.
....Petitioners
Versus
Sujata Saunik Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra & Ors.
....Respondents Mr. Suresh Pakale, Senior Advocate a/w. Mr. Nilesh Desai, for the Petitioners in both CPs.
Mr. O. A. Chandurkar, Addl. GP a/w. Mr. V. G. Badgujar, AGP for the Respondent - State in CP/31/2026.
Mr. O. A. Chandurkar, Addl. GP a/w. Mr. S. P. Kamble, AGP for the Respondent - State in CP/32/2026.
Mr. Eknath Dawale, Respondent No.3-Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department in CP/31/2026 and CP/32/2026, is present in Court.
Mr. Mahesh Palkar, Respondent No.4-Director of Education (Secondary), Pune, in CP/31/2026, is present in Court.
Mr. Sampat Suryawanshi, Respondent No.4-Joint Secretary, (Revenue & Forest) Relief and Rehabilitation (the then Director of Education (Secondary)) in CP/32/2026, is present in Court. CORAM : RAVINDRA V. GHUGE & HITEN S. VENEGAVKAR, JJ.
DATE : 28th APRIL, 2026 P.C.:
1.
We have heard the learned Senior Advocate for the Petitioners and the learned Additional Government Pleader, on behalf of the State. Respondent No.3, Shri Eknath Dawale, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department, Respondent No.4, Shri Mahesh Palkar, Director of Education (Secondary), Pune in Contempt Petition No.31 of 2026 and Respondent No.4, Shri Sampat Suryawanshi, Joint Secretary, (Revenue & Forest), Relief and Rehabilitation (the then Director of Education (Secondary)) in Contempt Petition No.32 of 2026, are present in the Court Hall. 2.
The learned Additional Government Pleader has tendered the affidavits of apology of Respondent Nos.3 and 4, with pagination. The same are taken on record.
3.
The learned Additional Government Pleader submits that the G.R. dated 04/09/2014 issued by the Education Department pertains to the candidates who were found eligible for the National or State Awards for exceptional service in the teaching sector. The second G.R. dated 04/09/2018 has been issued by the Rural Development Department, which is restricted only to the teachers working at the District places. Both the G.R.s apply in two different fields. These Petitioners are not found eligible for the District Awards, prior to the cut-off date. The verification has been done by these Respondents and they will pass a reasoned order making out a clear distinction which would give eligible and non-eligible Petitioners an idea as regards their status of eligibility/noneligibility. 4.
He submits on instructions of Shri Eknath Dhawale, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department and Shri Mahesh Palkar, Director of Education (Secondary), Pune that such reasoned order would be passed within 15 days from today, copies would be sent to the Zilla Parishads which sent the proposals. We record the said statement and direct that the aggrieved Petitioners would be at liberty to avail of a remedy as is permissible in law for
seeking redressal of their grievance. All contentions of all the stakeholders are kept open.
5.
In view of the above order, both these Contempt Petitions are disposed off, by consent.
(HITEN S. VENEGAVKAR, J.) (RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.)