Maanoj Vinayakrao Ghodkay v. The State Of Maharashtra Through The Principal Secretary And Others

( 1 ) 918 WP 2923 OF 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 918 WRIT PETITION NO. 2923 OF 2026 MAANOJ VINAYAKRAO GHODKAY

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS ...

Ms. Priyanka Deshpande h/f. J. P. Legal Associates, Advocate for the Petitioner Mr. V. M. Kagne, AGP for Respondent Nos.1 to 6 Mr. V. D. Sapkal, Senior Advocate a/w. Mr. Amit Gadekar i/b. Mr. P. D. Jarare, Advocate for Respondent No.7 ...

CORAM

: SMT. VIBHA KANKANWADI AND AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, JJ.

DATE : 21.04.2026 PER COURT :- .

Learned Senior Advocate appears for Respondent No.7 and submits that in view of the private notice given by the petitioner, Respondent No.7 is also appearing. Learned Senior Advocate Mr. V. D. Sapkal instructed by him then submits that they have prepared the affidavit of respondent No.7 and have given a copy of the same to the learned Advocate for the petitioner. 2.

Here, it appears that the matter is coming for the first time and in fact, we were supposed to hear the matter yet. Learned AGP waives notice on behalf of respondent Nos.1 to 6.

3.

Learned Advocate Ms. Priyanka Deshpande h/f. J. P. Legal Associates, seeks accommodation to file rejoinder in view of the affidavit-inreply that has been filed by Respondent No.7. Learned Senior Advocate objects

( 2 ) 918 WP 2923 OF 2026 on the ground that this Court, in Criminal Public Interest Litigation No.01 of 2022 with Application No.2520 of 2023, has passed a detailed order on 31.08.2023 and had even imposed cost of Rs.50,000/- on the petitioner. The present petition is also politically motivated. 4.

The fact remains that, still without going into the merits, when affidavit-in-reply is filed, an opportunity has to be given to the petitioner to file rejoinder. Therefore, rejoinder to be filed within one week. Copy of the same be given to the other side in advance.

5.

Place the matter for further consideration first on board on 04.05.2026.

( AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J. ) ( SMT. VIBHA KANKANWADI, J. ) PRW