Adv. Amol B. Pongde And Others v. Bar Council Of Maharashtra And Goa, Mumbai And Others

2026:BHC-NAG:5458-DB 120-WP-2836-2026.odt 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY,

NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR.

WRIT PETITION NO. 2836 OF 2026 Adv. Amol B. Pongde and others vs.

Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, Mumbai and others ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Court's or Judge's Order Coram, appearances, Court's Orders or directions and Registrar's order ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. S. P. Bhandarkar, Advocate with Ms Sejal Lakhani, Advocate for petitioner. CORAM :- ANIL S. KILOR and RAJ D. WAKODE, JJ. DATE :- 7th APRIL, 2026.

Heard Shri S. P. Bhandarkar, the learned counsel for the petitioners.

2.

The petitioners are the residents of Umred Bar Association, Bhiwapur Bar Association and Kuhi Bar Association. The grievance raised by the petitioners is about the procedure followed at the time of casting of votes in the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa recent Elections.

3.

It is alleged that during the voting, the petitioners noticed that on the ballot papers enrollment numbers were mentioned. According to the petitioners, mentioning of enrollment numbers is sufficient to identify the name of the voter and in that case it will destroy the secrecy of voting. Thus, according to the petitioners, such votes may be invalidated and should not be counted.

4.

It is informed that the representation to that effect is already made to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, Mumbai. However, there is no reply on the same.

120-WP-2836-2026.odt 2 5.

Be that as it may, the fact remains that the grievance raised in the petition is relating to the elections. Though the voting is over, the results are not declared and the counting of votes is going on. Thus, in the middle of counting of the votes of the election, any order as sought in the present petition would amount to interference in the election process. Moreover, all these grounds are available to the petitioners after the declaration of results, if the election petition is filed. 6.

Law as regards elections is well settled which does not permit interference in the election process.

7.

In the circumstances, we are of the view that the grievance raised in the present writ petition cannot be granted for the reasons referred above.

8.

Accordingly the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. ( RAJ D. WAKODE, J.) (ANIL S. KILOR, J.) Andurkar.

Signed by: Jayant S. Andurkar Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 07/04/2026 19:14:23