Kailash Deoram Irle v. Harsh Vinod Modi And Others

2026:BHC-NAG:3995-DB 1 36-WP-1555-26.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY,

NAGPUR BENCH, AT NAGPUR.

WRIT PETITION NO.1555 OF 2026 Kailash S/o Deoram Irle, Saundad, Tah. Sadak-Arjuni, Dist. Gondia vs.

Harsh s/o Vinod Modi (Arpanch, Gram Panchayat Saundad) r/o Saundad, Tah. Sadak-Arjuni, Dist. Gondia and ors.

- -- - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Court's or Judge's orders appearances, Court's orders of directions and Registrar's orders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Shri Jitendra Matale, Advocate for petitioner. Shri I. J. Damle, Assistant Government Pleader for respondent No.2/State. Shri V. R. Borkar, Advocate for respondent No.3. CORAM : ANIL S. KILOR AND RAJ D. WAKODE, JJ. DATED : 9th March, 2026 A simple prayer is made in the present writ petition to direct the respondent No.2-Collector, Gondia to decide the V. P. Application No.03/2025-26 filed by the petitioner seeking disqualification of respondent No.1 as Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Saundad, Tah. SadakArjuni, Dist. Gondia, expeditiously. 2.

The application was filed on 28/08/2025. Despite reasonable time has lapsed, there is no decision on the same. 3.

We are surprised to note that the Collector on 27/01/2026 has adjourned the matter to 29/12/2026. This conduct of the Collector shows that the Collector is not interested in deciding the matter expeditiously though knowing well that the matter pertains to disqualification of the Sarpanch.

4.

Though there is no period prescribed under the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act to decide such application, it is expected that such matter should be decided expeditiously and in any case within a reasonable period.

2 36-WP-1555-26.odt 5.

As we have already observed that period of six months has already lapsed, we are of the opinion that directions as sought by the petitioner needs to be issued to the Collector-Gondia. 6.

Accordingly, we dispose of the present writ petition with a direction to the respondent No.2-Collector, Gondia to decide V.P. Application No.03/2025-26 filed by the petitionr under Section 14(1) (j-3) of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959 within a period of three months from today in accordance with law. 7.

The learned counsel for the petitioner undertakes to communicate this order to the respondent No.2-Collector, Gondia within one week from today.

8.

No costs.

(Raj D. Wakode, J.) (Anil S. Kilor, J.) Asmita Signed by: Smt. Asmita A. Bhandakkar Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 10/03/2026 18:57:25