Sushila Shantaram Patil v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others
2026:BHC-AUG:5200-DB 932-wp-1250-2026.odt
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY,
BENCH AT AURANGABAD 932 WRIT PETITION NO. 1250 OF 2026 Sushila Shantaram Patil
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others ...
Mr. Arvind K. Tiwari, Advocate for the Petitioner Mr. S. P. Sonpawale, AGP for Respondents/State ...
CORAM : SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE AND ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
DATED : FEBRUARY 04, 2026 ORDER (Per Abasaheb D. Shinde J.):
1.
By this Writ Petition, the petitioner seeks to challenge the communication dated 09.01.2026 issued by the Information Officer from Respondent No.2-Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Dhule thereby refusing to supply documents as prayed for. 2.
We find that the application moved by the petitioner was under Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short "RTI Act"). Against the said refusal to supply information, the petitioner has an alternate efficacious remedy of filing Appeal under Section 19 of the RTI Act. 3.
Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner would pursue the said alternate remedy. However, he seeks direction that if in case the appeal is preferred by the petitioner, the same may be directed to be decided expeditiously.
Narwade/
932-wp-1250-2026.odt 4.
In view of the same, we dispose of this Writ Petition by relegating the petitioner to avail the alternate remedy of filing an Appeal as above. 5.
We, however, direct that in case the petitioner preferred an Appeal challenging the impugned communication before the Appellate Authority, the same be decided within a period of 30 days from the date of filing of the Appeal on its own merit and in accordance with law. 6.
Needless to state that the time spent by the petitioner in prosecuting this Writ Petition shall be taken into account while considering the aspect of delay.
7.
With these directions, writ petition stands disposed of. [ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.] [SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE, J.] Narwade/