Kailas Kisanrao Gorantyal v. Arjun Panditrao Khotkar And Others

915-EP.3.2025.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 915 ELECTION PETITION NO. 3 OF 2025 KAILAS KISANRAO GORANTYAL

VERSUS

ARJUN PANDITRAO KHOTKAR AND OTHERS ...

Mr. Aditya N. Sikchi and Mr. Gajanan M. Jakkalwar and Mr. Mukul S. Kulkarni, Advocate for the Petitioner.

Mr. Pratik A. Bhosle, Advocate for Respondent No.1. Adv. Alok M. Sharma, Advocate for Respondent No.3. ...

CORAM :

KISHORE C. SANT, J.

DATE :

4th APRIL 2025 P.C.:- 1.

Today, learned counsel for Respondent No.1 has filed an application seeking time to file written statement on record. It is stated that learned counsel, who was to instruct the lawyer representing the Respondents in this matter suffers from Cardiac Arrest on 19th March 2025 and is admitted in the hospital at Mumbai on 1st April 2025. The Respondents, therefore, could not give proper instructions to the lawyer representing in this Court.

2.

The learned counsel for the Petitioner has filed reply to this petition stating that already this Court has exercised a jurisdiction by extending time to file written statement. It is further stated that in view of Section 86(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, it is expected to dispose of the election petition itself within six months

915-EP.3.2025.odt from the date of presenting petition to the High Court. It is submitted that though, there is no specific time is given for filing the written statement, looking to the scheme of Section 86(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, it is expected that no time be granted for further extension.

3.

Looking to the reasons stated in the application, this Court finds that although time of six weeks is prayed for, it would be proper to grant time of four weeks from today. The application of Respondent No.1 is allowed. Time is extended by four weeks from today to file written statement.

4.

Place the petition on board on 2nd May 2025 at 2.30 p.m. 5.

Still now, the Respondents neither have filed reply nor have sought any time to file reply.

(KISHORE C. SANT, J.) Tauseef