Sudhakar Sampat Dhondge And Others v. The State Of Maharashtra, Thr. Its Chief Secretary, Mumbai And Others

2026:BHC-NAG:4602-DB 102.wp.2354.2026.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

WRIT PETITION NO. 2354 OF 2026 Dr. Sudhakar Sampat Dhondge and others .Vs.

The State of Maharashtra and others _______________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders.

and Registrar's Orders.

Mr Deoul Pathak, Advocate for petitioner/s Mr S. M. Ukey, Addl.GP for respondent Nos.1 to 6/State CORAM : ANIL S. KILOR AND RAJ D. WAKODE, JJ.

DATED : 23 rd MARCH , 2026 .

Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned AGP for respondent Nos. 1 to 6/State 2.

In short, the prayer of the petitioners is to declare that the petitioners who have retired between 01.01.2016 to 31.08.2024 are entitled and eligible to get benefit of enhanced Ceiling of gratuity of Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lacs only) as specified in Government Resolution dated 10.10.2024.

3.

Mr Deoul Pathak, learned counsel for the petitioners has fairly submitted that this issue is covered by the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Association of College and University Superannuated Teachers .v/s. Union of India and others passed in Civil Appeal No. 908 of 2013 dated 30.01.2013. He further submits that though a detail representation dated 22.09.2025 has been made by the Association and the further representation dated 17.01.2026 has been made by the

102.wp.2354.2026.odt petitioner No. 4- Madhuri Datalkar, which is at page 36 (Annexure F), the Government is not taking the issue to the logical end.

4.

Be that as it may, since the issue is already decided by the Hon'ble Apex Court, we direct respondent No.1 to decide each ground raised in the representations in the light of the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court mentioned supra. It is further directed that respondent No.1 shall give findings on each ground.

5.

The respondent No.1 is further directed to consider the grounds raised in this petition. 6.

Needless to mention that if the claim of the petitioners is to be denied then the respondent No.1 will have to give specific findings to that effect.

7.

The decision be taken within eight weeks from the production of this order.

8.

The decision taken, shall be informed to the petitioners within two weeks thereafter.

9.

The writ petition stands disposed of, accordingly. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. No order as to costs.

10.

The learned counsel for the petitioners undertakes to produce copy of this petition alongwith the order passed today, before the respondent No.1 within one week from today.

[RAJ D. WAKODE, J] [ANIL S. KILOR, J.] Namrata Signed by: Miss Namrata Suryawanshi Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 23/03/2026 18:52:22