#bombay_high_court

HC Affirms Right to Be Forgotten in Quashed FIR Case The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently reaffirmed that the constitutional right to privacy includes the “right to be forgotten,” directing its registry to anonymize the identity of a man whose criminal case was quashed nearly eight years ago. The court also ordered the removal of his name from publicly searchable court records. A division bench of Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta passed the order while allowing a criminal writ petition filed by a 37-year-old environment and climate change consultant from Jaipur. His identity was withheld in the proceedings as “ABC” due to the quashed FIR. The petitioner sought directions to mask his name and other personal identifiers from digitally accessible versions of orders related to two criminal cases. The FIR, registered against him in 2017 at Bajaj Nagar police station in Nagpur, was quashed following an amicable settlement between the parties. The petitioner argued that unredacted court records remained available on the high court website and were indexed by internet search engines, adversely affecting his professional opportunities and causing social stigma to his family. He contended that the continued availability of the records violated his fundamental right to privacy. The state opposed the petition but did not dispute the petitioner’s right to privacy, submitting that an appropriate order could be passed. The bench allowed the plea, emphasizing that the right to privacy is an intrinsic part of Article 21 of the Constitution. The judges noted that the concept of the “right to be forgotten” encompasses the right to have personal information removed from public records when criminal proceedings are quashed.#nagpur #jaipur #bombay_high_court #urmila_joshi_phalke #nivedita_mehta

Bombay High Court Seeks 10-Year Demolition Record From NMC In Riot Demolition Case The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit a record of demolitions over the past decade, highlighting instances where the civic body acted swiftly to remove unauthorized structures following the issuance of demolition notices. The court was examining petitions challenging the demolition of homes belonging to accused individuals involved in the March 17, 2025, riots in Nagpur. The case centers on whether the NMC enforced demolition laws uniformly or selectively, raising questions about the consistency of its enforcement practices. The petitioners, Abdul Hafeez Sheikh Lal and Jehrunissa Shamin Khan, argued that the demolition notice was served late on a Saturday, March 22, 2025, and that part of their house was demolished the following morning. They claimed their construction was legally sanctioned and that their representation asserting this was rejected on the same day. The court noted that despite the petition being served to NMC counsel at 11:45 am on March 24, demolition continued, with the corporation informing the court that part of the house had already been demolished by the time the matter was addressed at 2:30 pm. The bench observed that the demolition notice was served on a Saturday, contrasting the NMC’s prompt action in this case with delays in other demolitions. The judges emphasized that while they appreciated the swift response, they routinely encounter cases where authorities fail to demolish unauthorized structures for years despite legal notices under Section 53 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #abudl_hafeez_sheikh_lal #jehrunissa_shamin_khan #maharashtra_regional_and_town_planning_act

Bombay High Court Orders Maharashtra to Resolve Vidarbha Hockey Association Recognition Dispute Within Three Weeks The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra Directorate of Sports and Youth Services to resolve the long-pending recognition plea of the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) within three weeks. The court emphasized that the association’s detailed representation, submitted on May 9, 2025, had remained pending for over a year. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode mandated the directorate to communicate its decision to the VHA within two weeks of the final ruling. The petition, filed by the VHA, challenged a state government notification dated April 7, 2025, which excluded the association from the list of recognized sports bodies eligible for benefits such as sports quota concessions, grace marks, and government employment opportunities. Senior counsel Firdos Mirza, along with Anurag Mankar and Niranjan Jadhav, represented the VHA. The association argued that its exclusion from the recognized list was arbitrary and lacked procedural fairness, as the state government failed to issue a show-cause notice or grant the association an opportunity to respond. The VHA contended that the derecognition has severely impacted hockey players across 11 districts in Vidarbha. The association highlighted that the loss of recognition has deprived players of critical benefits, including eligibility for sports quota concessions, grace marks, and government job opportunities. Additionally, the VHA claimed that the subsequent notice issued by the collector to terminate the lease of its ground was a direct consequence of its derecognition. Established in 1962, the VHA represents 11 district hockey associations in the Vidarbha region.#bombay_high_court #firdos_mirza #vidarbha_hockey_association #anurag_mankar

Bombay High Court Blames Citizens for Mumbai’s Flooding, Cites Encroachments and Misuse of Infrastructure The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asserted that Mumbai’s recurring monsoon flooding is a result of citizens’ actions, including blocking drains, encroaching on public land, and misusing infrastructure, calling the crisis “our own creation.” The remarks came during a hearing on a road-widening project in Mandala village, where the court sought the Department of Atomic Energy’s response to a civic body’s plea for land. The court’s observations highlighted systemic issues in how public spaces are managed and used, with Justice Ravindra V Ghuge emphasizing that residents have repeatedly obstructed drainage systems and converted public areas into private spaces. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, issued notice to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) request to widen a road in Mandala village on the Sion-Trombay stretch. The civic body had claimed it had cleared encroachments from its portion of the road, leaving the remaining land under the DAE’s jurisdiction. Justice Ghuge criticized the community for its habit of seizing public land, stating that such actions have led to clogged drains and waterlogging. “We have an uncanny knack for grabbing lands,” he remarked, adding that pavement blocks and illegal parking have turned drainage lines into parking lots. The judge further noted that citizens often blame the BMC for flooding but fail to recognize their role in the crisis. “The corporation gave us drainage lines. We filled them up. They put pavement blocks. We started parking our cars on them,” Ghuge said.#bombay_high_court #brihanmumbai_municipal_corporation #department_of_atomic_energy #ravindra_v_ghuge #gautam_ankhad

Mumbai Flooding 'Our Own Creation', Stop Blaming Civic Body: High Court The Bombay High Court has blamed citizens for Mumbai’s recurring monsoon waterlogging crisis, stating that the city’s flooding is a self-inflicted problem caused by illegal land occupation, waste dumping, and misuse of public infrastructure. A division bench of acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad criticized the public for blocking drains, converting paved areas into parking spaces, and crowding footpaths with food stalls. The court emphasized that these actions have made Mumbai “destined” to face waterlogged roads during the monsoon season. Acting Chief Justice Ghuge expressed sharp displeasure with the city’s habits, stating that citizens “rob our own motherland” by illegally grabbing land and then seeking legal recourse only when faced with demolition notices. He highlighted that even footpaths outside the High Court building are occupied by illegal shops, exacerbating the drainage issues. The judge’s remarks underscored the court’s frustration with the lack of civic responsibility among residents, who contribute to the crisis through their daily actions. The court’s ruling comes amid ongoing efforts to address Mumbai’s infrastructure challenges. In a related matter, the High Court issued a formal notice to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) regarding a road-widening project in Mandala village along the Sion-Trombay stretch. The project aims to expand the existing 30-foot road to 50 feet, but progress has been stalled due to encroachments.#bombay_high_court #brihanmumbai_municipal_corporation #department_of_atomic_energy #acting_chief_judge_ravindra_v_ghuge #justice_gautam_ankhad

HC Push Ends Bansi Nagar Liquor Shop Ordeal, Residents Hope It’s Final Nagpur: Nearly two years after residents of Bansi Nagar launched a campaign against a country liquor shop near the Metro station, the outlet has finally been shut following directions from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. For residents, the closure marks the end of a prolonged legal battle and raises hopes of restoring normalcy in the neighbourhood. Advocate Kalyani Kalbande, representing the petitioner, told TOI that the collector issued the closure order on June 27, following which the shop was shut on June 29. The High Court held that the regularisation (RL) granted to the premises had lapsed as mandatory conditions were not fulfilled. It directed the Nagpur collector to take consequential action and submit a compliance report by June 30. The divisional bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode also sought an explanation from the excise department for its nearly year-long delay in acting despite being aware of the violation. According to the collector’s order, the excise licence has been suspended and the outlet will remain closed until the premises are regularised by the competent authority or the licence is shifted to another location. The order also directs the excise department to ensure the shop does not resume operations during this period. Since 2024, TOI has consistently reported residents’ complaints that the outlet had become a hub for public drinking. Locals alleged intoxicated patrons often sprawled on roads, sometimes semi-clothed or unconscious, creating an atmosphere of insecurity. Women avoided the stretch after dark, parents feared for children walking to school, and families visiting a nearby children’s hospital were forced to pass through crowds of drunken customers.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #bansi_nagar #kalyani_kalbande #ravi_yelure

Chandrapur Kidney Racket Doctor Fined for Forged Affidavit The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition of Ravinderpal Singh Jaspal Singh, a Delhi-based doctor accused in the Chandrapur kidney transplant racket, for allegedly submitting a forged affidavit. The division bench, comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta, imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on the petitioner, requiring him to deposit the amount within two weeks. If the fine remains unpaid, the matter will be revisited on July 15. The court emphasized that the petitioner had approached the court “not with clean hands” after the state highlighted discrepancies in the affidavit submitted on June 22. The petition challenged the actions of the Brahmapuri police in Chandrapur district, alleging violations of the petitioner’s constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, as well as provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act. During the hearing, the government’s pleader, Devendra Chauhan, along with counsel Amit Chutke, argued that the affidavit had been submitted “by playing a fraud on court.” They presented the statement of lawyer and notary Poonam Moon, along with extracts from the notary register. The notary claimed the petitioner had not appeared before her for the swearing of the affidavit. The court noted inconsistencies between the signatures in the register extract and those in the affidavit. The bench referenced Supreme Court rulings in Vijay Syal versus State of Punjab and K D Sharma versus Steel Authority of India to stress that litigants must not mislead judicial proceedings.#bombay_high_court #brahmapuri_police #transplantation_of_human_organs_and_tissues_act #chandrapur_kidney_racket #ravinderpal_singh_jaspal_singh

Bombay High Court Urges Maharashtra Govt to Revoke FDA Seal on Wardha’s Goras Bhandar Maharashtra’s government on Friday informed the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court that it is prepared to withdraw the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) sealing order against Wardha’s historic Goras Bhandar, which was shut down last month over alleged unhygienic conditions. During a hearing before a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, the state submitted that annual inspections of the institution since 2020 had found no irregularities. The matter will be revisited on July 7. The court was addressing a petition filed by the Wardha Tehsil Cow Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society, represented by senior counsel Firdos Mirza, challenging the FDA’s May 31 sealing order. Acting on directives from FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, officials inspected the premises, sealed the institution, and banned milk collection, sale, and dairy product manufacturing until further notice. During Friday’s proceedings, the government requested the court to set aside the sealing order. The bench, however, rejected the request and orally observed that the state should either withdraw the order and issue an improvement notice to the institution or await the court’s final adjudication. Following this, the government indicated its willingness to revoke the sealing action and issue a corrective notice instead. The hearing also centered on allegations that industrial ice was used in preparing buttermilk at Goras Bhandar. Mirza admitted before the court that industrial ice had been used during the preparation process. The cooperative society argued that the FDA acted without prior notice or an opportunity for the institution to respond.#food_and_drug_administration #bombay_high_court #maharashtra_govt #goras_bhandar #mahatma_gandhi

Helmet Exemption For Sikhs Is Valid Classification: HC The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently ruled that the legal exemption allowing Sikh men wearing turbans to bypass mandatory helmet requirements while riding two-wheelers is a valid classification under the Motor Vehicles Act. The court upheld the provision, stating it does not violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. The decision was delivered in response to a petition filed by Kirtesh Chaudhari, a 23-year-old student who challenged the exemption as discriminatory. Chaudhari argued that exempting Sikh men from wearing helmets constituted a violation of Article 14, which ensures equality before the law. He contended that the exemption treated Sikhs differently from other road users, thereby infringing on their fundamental rights. However, the High Court rejected this argument, emphasizing that Article 14 does not prohibit reasonable classification. The bench clarified that the government is permitted to create distinct categories for different groups if there is a logical basis and a legitimate public purpose. The court observed that the exemption for Sikhs is based on practical considerations related to safety and cultural practices. The judges noted that the turban, a traditional article of clothing for Sikhs, provides a level of head protection that may render the mandatory helmet requirement unnecessary in certain cases. They further stated that the exemption cannot be interpreted as religion-based discrimination, as it is tied to the physical characteristics of the turban rather than religious identity. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates the use of protective headgear for all individuals operating two-wheelers. However, the provision includes an exception for Sikh men wearing turbans.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #kirtesh_chaudhari #motor_vehicles_act #sikh_community

HC Seeks Urgent ASI Nod for Rs19 Crore Revival of Historic Court Building The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to expedite its decision on a Rs19 crore proposal for the conservation and restoration of the historic Old High Court Building in Civil Lines. The court, presided over by a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, emphasized the need for an urgent response, setting a deadline of July 6 for further proceedings. The directive came during a hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the deteriorating condition of the 19th-century heritage structure, which is considered one of Nagpur’s most iconic judicial landmarks. Ashutosh Dharmadhikari was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The revised conservation plan, jointly prepared by the ASI and the Public Works Department (PWD), was submitted after a detailed review meeting mandated by earlier court orders. ASI counsel Mugdha Chandurkar informed the bench that the proposal would now be forwarded to the ASI director general in New Delhi for final approval. The court ordered the ASI chief to provide a decision within seven days, underscoring the urgency of preserving the heritage site. Initially, the PWD had proposed a restoration plan costing nearly Rs30 crore. However, the ASI informed the court that the building, classified as a protected heritage monument, required adherence to strict conservation norms and archaeological preservation guidelines. This necessitated a revised estimate, leading to the current Rs19 crore proposal.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #public_works_department #archaeological_survey_of_india #old_high_court_building

Indian Passport Is Not Final Proof Of Citizenship Know What The Law Says The debate over whether a passport, Aadhaar card, or voter ID can serve as definitive proof of Indian citizenship has intensified following a statement by a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The official clarified that a passport is merely a travel document and not a legal proof of citizenship, sparking widespread discussion on social media and raising questions about what constitutes the true evidence of Indian nationality. This clarification aligns with long-standing legal provisions that distinguish between a passport and citizenship. The MEA's assertion that a passport does not equate to citizenship is not a new concept. The Passport Act of 1967, specifically Section 20, explicitly states that the central government can issue passports to non-citizens if it deems it necessary for public interest. This provision underscores that a passport is a travel document, not a legal certificate of nationality. While passports are typically issued to Indian citizens, the law allows exceptions under specific conditions, such as for individuals who are not citizens but require a passport for legitimate reasons. This legal distinction was reinforced by a landmark ruling from the Bombay High Court in 2013. The court emphasized that possessing a passport does not automatically confirm a person's citizenship. It clarified that a passport is not the final proof of nationality, as it can be issued to non-citizens under certain circumstances. This ruling has since been cited in discussions about the legal framework governing citizenship in India. The Citizenship Act of 1955 outlines five primary methods through which an individual can acquire Indian citizenship.#bombay_high_court #ministry_of_externa_affairs #citizenship_act_1955 #passport_act_1967 #citizenship_certificate

HC asks NMC to decide Gorewada lake pollution plea in six weeks The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to examine and decide within six weeks a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging the discharge of untreated sewage into Gorewada Lake. The court, comprising Justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode, instructed the civic body to treat the petition as a representation and resolve the reliefs sought strictly in accordance with the law. The PIL, filed by corporator Shailesh Pande, claimed that untreated sewage was being released into the lake, causing irreversible environmental damage, harming aquatic life, and posing risks to public health. The petitioner sought immediate measures, including the installation of sewage treatment and pollution-control systems to protect the lake’s ecosystem. The court ordered the petitioner to submit copies of the PIL and the order to the NMC within a week, while the civic body was directed to communicate its final decision to the petitioner within two weeks. This directive comes amid ongoing concerns about the lake’s condition, which has been extensively reported by The Times of India (TOI) over the past two months. Investigations by TOI revealed that sewage-laden streams carrying plastic and domestic waste were entering the lake through a concealed route behind the Gorewada International Zoo, contradicting earlier claims that pollution originated from Dabha. TOI also reported that the NMC had extracted over 9,300 million litres of water from Gorewada in 2025 despite laboratory findings indicating bacteriological contamination. Civic officials defended the reservoir as an emergency backup source, asserting that water supplied to consumers undergoes treatment.#times_of_india #bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #gorewada_lake #shailesh_pande

HC Stays Chanda Congress’ Power Shift in Civic Body The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench on Monday intervened in a contentious power struggle within the Congress party’s Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) group, staying the implementation of an order that recognized corporator Surendra Adbale as the party’s group leader. The interim relief, issued by a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj D Wakode, temporarily halted the leadership change and brought the dispute under judicial review. The court issued notices to the respondents, with the next hearing scheduled for July 6. The conflict stems from a factional rivalry between supporters of MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar within the Congress party. Following the municipal elections, the Congress group of 27 corporators had officially elected Rajesh Adur as their leader. However, tensions escalated as 16 corporators aligned with Dhanorkar’s faction claimed they had elected Adbale as the new group leader instead. The divisional commissioner, Vijayalakshmi Bidari, revoked Adur’s recognition and approved Adbale’s appointment, sparking the legal challenge. Adur contested the decision, arguing it violated established legal procedures. His petition to the High Court led to the stay of the order, effectively suspending the leadership change and restoring the status quo. The court’s ruling has temporarily altered the political dynamics within the civic body, with the July 6 hearing poised to determine the legitimacy of the leadership shift. The dispute highlights the deepening internal divisions within the Congress party, as rival factions vie for control over key positions.#bombay_high_court #vijay_wadettiwar #chandrapur_municipal_corporation #pratibha_dhanorkar #surendra_abdale

HC Questions Decade-Long Delay In Action Against Alleged Illegal Constructions in Kachipura The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in addressing illegal constructions in the Kachipura area, which lies between Shankar Nagar and Bajaj Nagar. The court highlighted the decade-long stagnation in resolving the issue despite notices issued in 2016. During the hearing, counsel for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Gemini Kasat, informed the court that notices under Section 53(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act were issued in 2016 after unauthorized constructions were identified. However, the demolition process stalled when the affected establishments approached the state government, which stayed the proceedings pending adjudication of their appeals. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode questioned the prolonged inaction, emphasizing the need for clarity on why the matter remained unresolved for nearly a decade. Additional government pleader Sangeeta Jachak clarified that the stay was not granted under Section 53(1) of the MRTP Act but was instead linked to Section 47, which pertains to development permissions. She explained that the establishments had approached the state government under Section 47 after the NMC rejected their requests for additional development permissions. Kasat, however, cited records indicating that the civic body had treated the stay as related to Section 53(1) proceedings. The court noted the discrepancy and directed both the NMC and the state government to submit detailed responses by June 24. The case was initiated by a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by three residents of Shankar Nagar—Dr Lalit Harode, Aseem Baodia, and Mrudula Phadke.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #kachipura

Plea Challenges Distance-Based RTE Admissions, HC Seeks State’s Reply The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Maharashtra government and other respondents regarding a petition challenging the state’s revised distance-based lottery system for admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act quota. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activists Ashish Fulzele, Aniket Kuttarmare, and Vaibhav Kamble. The petition questions the legality of the state government’s April 6, 2026, order introducing a phased lottery system for admissions to the 25% reserved seats in private schools under the RTE Act. The petition argues that the revised system, which groups students based on their residential distance from schools—categorized into 0–1 km, 1–3 km, 3–5 km, and beyond 5 km—creates an unequal admission process. Petitioners contend that this classification discriminates against eligible children living farther away from schools, undermining the principle of equal opportunity. They emphasized that the high court had previously struck down a similar distance restriction in RTE admissions, ruling that students from disadvantaged sections could not be denied access to schools located beyond one kilometre from their residence. Following that ruling, the state government had withdrawn the mandatory distance condition. The petitioners claim that the current phased system grants first preference to students residing within one kilometre of a school, potentially denying admission to eligible students from distant areas if all seats are filled in the initial phase.#maharashtra_government #bombay_high_court #ashish_fulzele #aniket_kuttarmare #vaibhav_kamble

Maharashtra Govt Approves ₹165.62-Cr Family Court Building in Nagpur The Maharashtra government has granted fresh administrative approval for the construction of a new Family Court building in Nagpur, with the project now estimated at ₹165.62 crore, significantly higher than the initial ₹43.42 crore proposed in November 2022. A government resolution (GR) issued by the law and judiciary department on June 15 cleared the plan for a basement with parking and a nine-storey structure housing 18 court halls, replacing the earlier approval. The revised proposal was submitted by the Bombay High Court following updated cost estimates. The project, located at Civil Lines behind Suyog Bhavan, aims to enhance infrastructure for handling family dispute cases. The Public Works Department (PWD) will execute the construction, with the complex planned to have a built-up area of approximately 24,598 square meters. The design includes court halls, judicial chambers, and allied facilities such as electrical and fire-fighting systems, lifts, air-conditioning, LAN and EPABX networks, water supply, sanitation, furniture, boundary walls, gates, landscaping, and parking. The government has imposed strict conditions for the project’s execution, requiring architectural and layout plans to be approved by competent authorities and obtaining clearances from relevant agencies. Compliance with environmental norms and public works guidelines is mandatory. The GR explicitly prohibits any deviation from the approved scope, emphasizing that any changes or additions must undergo prior approval under prescribed procedures to prevent further revisions. This ensures the project adheres to the revised budget and specifications.#nagpur #bombay_high_court #public_works_department #civil_lines #maharashtra_govt

After HC rap, edu dept brings CBSE schools under June 30 reopening order All schools in Nagpur district, including CBSE-affiliated institutions, were issued a notice by the education department on Monday to reopen on June 30 for the academic year 2026-27. The order, issued after a directive from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, marks the first time the department has explicitly brought non-state board institutions under the same reopening date as state board schools. The high court had earlier scrapped the education department's earlier circulars, which had set June 15 and June 22 as reopening dates, and directed all Vidarbha schools to reopen only from June 30 in line with a government resolution dated April 20, 2023. A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode criticized the department's conduct as "totally arbitrary" and lacking reason. The bench noted that the state failed to collect temperature data or consult medical experts before fixing the reopening date. The court warned that any future circular or action contrary to the order would invite proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act. The notice by the education department is significant because for years, local officials had taken a stand that they could not interfere with the academic calendars of CBSE schools, leaving them free to reopen well before state board institutions. TOI had reported that several CBSE schools in Nagpur had either resumed classes for senior students or issued reopening notices for mid-June, despite temperatures continuing above 43 degrees Celsius. The notice, issued jointly by primary and secondary education officers of the zilla parishad, cited the HC order and stated that the decision was taken to ensure there was no contempt of court.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #nagpur_district #liladhar_thakre #vijay_d_kombey

Over 460 Nagpur Schools Face Rs 50,000 HC Penalty Each, Bus Safety Affidavits Still Not Filed More than 460 schools in Nagpur district are facing a penalty of Rs 50,000 each from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court for failing to submit affidavits confirming their transport committees held regular meetings and ensured school-bus safety. The court mandated that all primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools operating buses in the district submit detailed records of their transport committee meetings and vehicle safety checks by a deadline set for June 10, 2026. As of the extended deadline, only 38 schools had complied with the order, leaving a significant gap in compliance. The next court hearing on this matter is scheduled for June 18. The court’s directive originated from a public interest litigation (PIL) case that dates back to 2012. At that time, the court took suo motu cognisance of unregulated school transport in Nagpur following a series of accidents and complaints from parents. Subsequent state government rules now require schools operating buses to establish transport committees, hold meetings every term, supervise driver and conductor recruitment, ensure vehicle fitness certifications, and submit minutes to the education department. Schools not running their own buses must file declarations to avoid ambiguity. In a March 17 hearing, amicus curiae Firdos Mirza informed the court that only 38 schools had met the initial compliance deadline of February 6. The bench then directed the deputy director of education (DDE), Nagpur, to issue fresh notices to the remaining schools, along with copies of the January 16 and February 6 orders.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_district #firdos_mirza #madhuri_sawarkar #nagpur_schools

HC Directs Vidarbha Schools to Reopen from June 30 The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday mandated that schools in Vidarbha, a region in Maharashtra, reopen from June 30, overturning earlier directives from the state education department. The court’s decision came after a prolonged legal battle over the timing of the academic year’s resumption, with the state initially setting June 15 as the reopening date, which was later pushed to June 22. The high court’s intervention followed a writ petition filed by the Maharashtra Rajya Prathamik Shikshan Samiti, a state-level education body, challenging the state’s March 28 circular that had fixed June 15 as the reopening date. The court’s division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, dismissed the state’s earlier circulars as arbitrary and warned that any future deviation from the June 30 directive would result in contempt of court proceedings against the involved officials. The bench emphasized that the director of education’s past actions were “contemptuous” but stopped short of initiating contempt proceedings immediately. The court’s order explicitly stated that if the state education department or any official issued conflicting directives in the future, the court would take action under the Contempt of Courts Act. The petitioners, represented by advocate BG Kulkarni, argued that the state’s March 28 circular was inconsistent with a 2007 ruling by the same high court. In that ruling, the court had held that imposing a uniform statewide reopening date for Vidarbha was arbitrary, citing the region’s adverse weather conditions during June, which could negatively impact students’ health. The Supreme Court had later dismissed the state’s appeal against this 2007 decision.#bombay_high_court #vidarbha #maharashtra_rajya_prathamik_shikshan_samiti #maharashtra_education_department #bg_kulkarni

CBSE schools must follow June 30 reopening order, demand associations, politicians As schools across Vidarbha remain closed until June 30 under a Bombay High Court directive citing extreme heat, teachers' associations and political leaders have demanded that CBSE-affiliated institutions in the region comply with the court’s order. The directive, issued to address the risks posed by soaring temperatures—often exceeding 40°C—has sparked controversy as some CBSE schools in Nagpur and neighboring districts have already begun classes for senior students, while others have announced reopenings as early as June 15. Vidarbha Junior College Teachers Association general secretary Ashok Gavhankar criticized the disparity in treatment between CBSE schools and state-run institutions, questioning why CBSE students should be exempt from the heatwave’s impact. “Are CBSE students robots? Doesn’t the sun affect them?” he asked, accusing education department officials of disregarding both the court’s orders and previous government resolutions. Gavhankar alleged that officials in Pune were undermining the court’s directions and that the lack of political leadership in the education sector had enabled bureaucratic overreach. Rashtriya Shikshak-Palak Sanghatan national convenor Yogesh Pathare emphasized the severity of the situation in Vidarbha, noting that the heatwave conditions made the issue particularly urgent. He stated he would write to the state education department to take action against schools defying the court’s orders. “Most schools currently operating are conducting classes for standards 9, 10, and 12. Schools reopening on June 15 have created confusion among parents and students,” Pathare said.#bombay_high_court #vidarbha #yogesh_pathare #ashok_gavhankar #deepali_dably