#bombay_high_court

High Court Rejects Request to Cancel Exam Over Marking Pattern Leak The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently dismissed a petition seeking the cancellation of an MPSC departmental promotion examination for state excise personnel, ruling that a leaked marking pattern did not justify scrapping the entire process. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas upheld the majority view of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MAT), rejecting the argument that the leak compromised the fairness of the exam. The petition, filed by 11 State Excise constables, challenged the examination held on September 23, 2025, for 137 sub-inspector posts. The petitioners claimed an unofficial PDF outlining topic-wise and subtopic-wise mark distribution for Papers I and II had circulated on WhatsApp groups a week before the exam, and that the actual question papers aligned with this distribution, giving some candidates an unfair advantage. The MAT’s majority opinion had stated that while the leak constituted a serious procedural lapse, it did not warrant the cancellation of the exam unless there was verified evidence of a question-paper leak. The High Court endorsed this reasoning, emphasizing that the core testing mechanism remained intact. The court noted that the leak, though problematic, did not undermine the entire examination process. The petitioners had argued that the leak violated principles of equality under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, but the bench countered that the petitioners failed to demonstrate the leak was systemic, widespread, or beyond investigation. The MAT’s two judges presented contrasting views on the matter.#bombay_high_court #maharashtra_public_service_commission #mpsc_departmental_promotion_examination #state_excise_personnel #whatsapp_groups

Govt extends norms, PoP idols to be sold only with red mark The Maharashtra state government has extended restrictions on the sale and immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols until the Bombay High Court delivers its verdict on the issue. The environment and climate change department issued a circular on Tuesday stating that guidelines notified in August 2025 will remain in effect until the court’s decision. These norms, initially applicable to festivals held up to March 31, 2026, were extended following interim orders from the high court in an ongoing public interest litigation concerning POP idols. The guidelines mandate that all POP idols must have a clearly visible circular red mark in oil paint on their backs. Sculptors and sellers are required to comply with this rule, as failure to do so could lead to penalties linked to local body-issued licenses. In Nagpur, markets are currently flooded with POP idols lacking the red mark, posing challenges for enforcement by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Immersion rules vary depending on the idol’s size. POP idols installed at homes or those below six feet in height can only be immersed in artificial ponds created by local bodies. For larger idols exceeding six feet, immersion in natural water bodies is permitted only if no alternative facility exists. In such cases, civic bodies must ensure that POP material is retrieved from the water body by the following day. Sellers are required to maintain a register of POP idol sales, with compliance tied to licenses issued by local authorities. Additionally, sellers must provide buyers with an information pamphlet explaining the immersion norms.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #maharashtra_pollution_control_board #maharashtra_state_government

Bombay High Court Orders CBI Probe into Disha Salian's Death The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued a directive in the case of Disha Salian, a 28-year-old celebrity manager who died on June 8, 2020, in a suburban Malad building in Mumbai. The court mandated the registration of a first information report (FIR) for her death and appointed a senior officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to lead the probe. The court emphasized that no individual should be named as an accused unless there is sufficient evidence against them. Salian, who had previously worked as a manager for the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died under circumstances that raised questions. Her death occurred just days before Rajput’s own passing on June 14, 2020, in his Bandra residence. The court’s decision followed a petition filed by her father, Satish Salian, who argued that the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious. Through his counsel, Nilesh Ojha, Salian had sought a CBI investigation, asserting that the high court had the authority to direct the registration of an FIR and ensure a thorough probe for his family’s justice. During a three-day hearing, the bench, comprising Justices SV Kotwal and RR Bhonsale, repeatedly questioned the state authorities about their continued reliance on Section 174 of the erstwhile criminal procedure code (CrPC). The court highlighted the limited applicability of this provision, which is typically used for preliminary inquiries, and stressed the need for a more rigorous investigation. The order specified that the CBI officer would register the FIR, ensure no detention of individuals without reasonable suspicion, and submit a summary report if the probe yielded no findings.#central_bureau_of_investigation #bombay_high_court #sushant_singh_rajpoot #disa_salian #satish_salian

Disha Salian's Death: CBI Ordered to Investigate After Court Orders Probe Disha Salian, the former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Her death occurred just days before Sushant Singh Rajput was discovered dead in his Bandra flat. The Mumbai police initially registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in her case, but her father, Satish Salian, filed a petition with the Bombay High Court alleging lapses in the investigation. The court recently directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case, marking a significant development in the probe. The Bombay High Court, in a bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale, ordered the CBI to register a First Information Report (FIR) and conduct a thorough investigation into Disha Salian’s death. The court emphasized that no individual should be treated as an accused unless there is sufficient evidence against them. The order came after Satish Salian’s legal team, represented by lawyer Nilesh Ojha, argued that the police had failed to follow procedural guidelines and that influential parties may have obstructed the investigation. The court mandated that the Mumbai police hand over all case records to the CBI, including the post-mortem report and the ADR, which had not been provided to Disha Salian’s family even five years after her death. The bench also instructed the CBI to appoint a senior officer to oversee the investigation, record Satish Salian’s statement, and ensure transparency in the process. If the CBI concludes that no case is made out, it must file a summary report with the court, which would then have the authority to challenge or protest the findings.#central_bureau_of_investigation #bombay_high_court #mumbai_police #disha_salian #sushant_singh_rajpoot

HC Slams Cops Over Dhantoli Parking Woes, Says Temp Measures in Vain The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday criticized traffic police for failing to resolve persistent parking and congestion issues in Dhantoli, stating that temporary enforcement actions have not yielded lasting solutions. The court addressed two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by the Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal, which highlighted ongoing problems such as unauthorized roadside parking, traffic congestion, and alleged commercial misuse of parking spaces by hospitals in the area. A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Dhanuka questioned the effectiveness of repeated crackdowns on illegal parking and encroachments. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar appeared before the court during the hearing. The PILs, numbered 65/2012 and 52/2017, have been pending since 2012, when the court first issued directives to address the issue. Despite multiple orders, the problems have persisted over the years, prompting the court to demand a detailed affidavit from traffic police outlining the measures taken to tackle the problem. The affidavit submitted on Tuesday listed recent actions against encroachments and illegal parking, but the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the approach. The court emphasized that short-term enforcement cannot address a recurring issue, noting that temporary measures would only provide fleeting relief. “Your actions may resolve the problem now, but within an hour, the same situation will arise again in Dhantoli,” the court remarked during the hearing.#bombay_high_court #dhantoli_nagrik_mandal #deputy_commissioner_of_police_aditya_mirkhelkar #ashutosh_dharmadhikari #ashwin_deshpande

HC Orders Investigation into Fly Ash Dumping at Nandgaon The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the collector to submit a response within two weeks regarding alleged unscientific dumping of fly ash at Nandgaon. The court also requested details on actions taken following an earlier inspection report of the site. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas issued the directives while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation initiated after a newspaper report exposed the issue. The court appointed Arnav Pansare as amicus curiae to assist in examining the matter. Ravi Sanyal represented the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Pansare, after inspecting the site, informed the court that fly ash appeared at risk of being washed into the Pench river during the monsoon season, potentially causing water pollution. He provided geo-referenced and satellite images to support his observations. The court had previously ordered the district administration to inspect the site, leading to the formation of a committee of officials by the collector. The bench now specifically asked the administration to disclose the actions taken on the committee’s report and its response to the allegations. The court has not yet made any final determination on whether fly ash from the Nandgaon site is entering the Pench river. The collector’s response and details of actions taken on the inspection report are expected to clarify the issue during the next stage of the proceedings. Media reports highlighted that ash-laden slurry from a breached containment pond had flowed into agricultural fields, causing extensive crop damage and raising concerns about contamination of nearby water bodies.#bombay_high_court #maharashtra_pollution_control_board #mahagenco #nandgaon #arnav_pansare

Bombay High Court Probes Illegal Pathology Labs Over Dead Doctor's Signatures The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken up a criminal public interest litigation (PIL) alleging widespread illegal operations by unauthorised pathology laboratories across Maharashtra. The case, filed by Yavatmal-based social worker Digambar Haribhau Pajgade, highlights concerns over diagnostic labs functioning without proper oversight and the use of outdated signatures on medical reports. The court granted intervention to Dr Rajeev Joshi, founder of the Medico Legal Society of India, and directed the state government to respond to his proposed regulatory measures. Joshi presented evidence including pathology reports bearing the signatures of a deceased doctor, underscoring the alleged misuse of credentials. The issue was described as directly impacting public health, with Joshi criticizing the government for failing to address the malpractice. The division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas, acknowledged the gravity of the matter, emphasizing the need for immediate action to curb the alleged violations. Joshi raised questions about the adequacy of the Maharashtra Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2026, which has been introduced in the state legislature and referred to a 21-member committee. The court ordered Pajgade to amend the PIL to include the Medico Legal Society as a respondent and permitted the Association of Clinical Laboratory Analysts and Practitioners to intervene. Additionally, the government was instructed to file an affidavit addressing Joshi’s suggestions from his intervention application. The PIL is set for further hearing on September 15.#bombay_high_court #digambar_haribhau_pajgade #rajeev_joshi #medico_legal_society_of_india #maharashtra_clinical_establishment_act_2026

Power Cable Work Contaminated Drinking Water in Prabhat Nagar, NMC Tells HC Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) disclosed to the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench that power cable-laying work by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) damaged two water connections passing through a sewer chamber in Prabhat Nagar, leading to contamination of the drinking water supply. The disclosure came during a hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated after reports highlighted contaminated water in multiple parts of the city. The court adjourned the case until September 8, with Ishika Mahadule assisting as amicus curiae and Gemini Kasat representing NMC. According to the affidavit filed by NMC and Orange City Water (OCW), two 15mm-diameter water connections were damaged during MSEDCL’s cable-laying operations in Prabhat Nagar. The damaged connections, which passed through a sewer chamber, allowed sewage to mix with the water supply. The affected pipeline was repaired, flushed, and the water supply was restored. Water samples collected from consumers’ taps were tested at the public health laboratory, and a report dated February 9, 2026, confirmed the water was safe for consumption after remedial measures were implemented. The affidavit also outlined broader concerns about water quality in Nagpur. Between January 2025 and March 2026, authorities tested 26,671 water samples, of which 208 were found unfit for drinking. In February 2026 alone, eight of 1,683 tested samples failed quality checks, while 323 complaints of contaminated water were received. A meeting chaired by the mayor identified contaminated water supply in over 50 settlements across nine of the city’s 10 zones, potentially affecting approximately four lakh residents.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #orange_city_water #prabhat_nagar

Student's 680-Mark NEET Claim Dismissed After OMR Sheet Inspection A 17-year-old student’s attempt to challenge her NEET-UG 2026 score of 160/720 collapsed after she inspected her original OMR answer sheet and confirmed the result was accurate. The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench dismissed her petition on August 7, 2026, ruling that her allegations against the National Testing Agency (NTA) lacked substance. The court imposed a ₹25,000 penalty, to be paid by her mother into the Public Welfare Account of the High Court’s Union Bank of India branch within four weeks. The student, who had sought admission to an MBBS program, initially claimed her score did not reflect her actual performance. She alleged that the NTA had incorrectly evaluated her responses and demanded a physical verification of her OMR sheet, along with a retally of her answers. Based on her self-assessment against the answer key, she expected approximately 680 marks. However, after being granted access to the original OMR sheet, her legal counsel informed the court that she found the score of 160 to be correct. Deputy Solicitor General Kartik Shukul, representing the NTA, argued that the student’s claims were unfounded. He emphasized that the NTA’s responsibility to accurately record, scan, and evaluate responses is non-delegable, but the inspection of the OMR sheet rendered her allegations unsustainable. The division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas, criticized the student’s conduct, stating that her assertion that the NTA had failed in its duties demonstrated a lack of due diligence. The court noted that while errors in evaluation could theoretically occur, this case did not meet that threshold.#nta #bombay_high_court #student #karti_shukul #public_welfare_account

HC Rejects Builder’s Plea, Clears Way For Pohra STP Project The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by Shree Ganesh Builders, which had challenged the acquisition of its land for a sewerage treatment plant (STP) project. The court ruled that the builder failed to issue a valid statutory purchase notice and later participated in the acquisition proceedings while simultaneously claiming the land reservation had lapsed. The Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, rejected the company’s plea seeking a declaration that the reservation over its land at Mouza Chikhli (Khurd) had lapsed under Section 127 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP Act). The court upheld the land acquisition award dated October 29, 2025, stating the challenge was “without any basis and is an afterthought.” The dispute centered on nearly 12.12 hectares of land reserved since the 2001 Development Plan for a “Drainage and Sewerage Disposal Scheme.” The builder had issued a purchase notice in June 2014, asserting the reservation would automatically lapse if acquisition proceedings were not initiated within the statutory period. However, the court found the notice itself contained a fundamental defect, as it covered three distinct land parcels whose revenue records reflected ownership in the names of three separate legal entities. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation had highlighted this discrepancy in December 2014 and requested title documents, but the petitioner neither corrected the defect nor contested its rejection for over a decade.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #maharashtra_regional_and_town_planning_act #shree_ganesh_builders #pohra_stp_project

Fines Alone Cannot Curb Noise Pollution, Nagpur Bench Tells Traffic Police The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ruled that fines alone are insufficient to address the persistent issue of noise pollution caused by vehicles, directing traffic police to implement more effective preventive measures. The court’s directive came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bhupendra Wasnik, alongside suo motu proceedings initiated by the court on the matter. The bench emphasized the need for proactive strategies to curb excessive noise rather than relying solely on penalties after violations occur. The court’s observations followed a submission by traffic police detailing enforcement actions taken over the past two-and-a-half years. According to the police affidavit, measures were taken against vehicles equipped with unauthorized modified silencers, particularly motorcycles such as Bullets, as well as those using horns excessively or at inappropriate volumes. In 2025, authorities seized 440 modified silencers, which were dismantled with the help of mechanics where necessary. The vehicles were restored to their original configurations, and the seized silencers were destroyed to prevent reuse. Between 2024 and July 2026, traffic police recorded 1,515 enforcement actions for noise-related violations, resulting in fines totaling ₹10.27 lakh. The breakdown of these fines showed that in 2024, 568 actions generated ₹3.46 lakh in penalties, while 693 actions in 2025 yielded ₹5.28 lakh. Up to July 2026, 255 actions led to ₹1.53 lakh in fines. However, the court noted that the scale of enforcement should not be measured merely by the number of cases or the amount collected.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #traffic_police #bhupendra_wasnik #whatsapp_helpline

HC Rejects Contemnor’s Attempt To Recuse Judge, Says Allegations An ‘Afterthought’ The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed an application filed by a contemnor seeking the recusal of a judge from a contempt case, stating that the allegations against the judge appeared to be an “afterthought” aimed at evading the court’s jurisdiction. The case, which originated from a 2019 petition filed by Pranali Ravindra Puttewar against the Union of India and other entities, came under scrutiny after the contemnor submitted a recusal request to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and the administrative judge of the Nagpur bench. While the administrative judge closed the application, a copy was recorded in the court’s proceedings. During the hearing, the contemnor, who operates a credit cooperative society, alleged that the judge had been a member of the society since 2003 and had obtained loans from it, including a two-wheeler loan and a ₹9 lakh housing loan, both of which were later repaid. The contemnor claimed that a dispute or verbal altercation occurred during the settlement of accounts, leading to a strained relationship. Additionally, the contemnor accused the judge of ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the society’s affairs, an order that was later challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court modified the order and constituted a Special Investigation Team to handle the matter. The court, however, emphasized the need for concrete evidence to substantiate the allegations. It directed the contemnor to provide documentary proof of the judge’s involvement with the society, including records of loan closures, and to file an affidavit detailing the alleged dispute, its timeline, and the nature of the exchange.#central_bureau_of_investigation #union_of_india #bombay_high_court #pranali_ravindra_puttewar #credit_cooperative_society

HC Seeks Clarity on Action Against Illegal Pathology Labs The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to provide detailed information on the regulatory framework and enforcement mechanisms for addressing illegal pathology laboratories. The court expressed concern that inaccurate diagnostic reports from unregulated labs could endanger patients’ health. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas emphasized the need for clarity on procedures to identify and penalize laboratories operating without proper qualifications. The court was hearing a criminal public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Yavatmal-based social worker Digambar Pajgade, who alleged that thousands of pathology labs across Maharashtra are run by technicians holding Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) or Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology (CMLT) qualifications instead of qualified medical professionals. According to the petition, labs must be supervised by MBBS doctors or those with MD degrees in pathology, microbiology, or biochemistry. Pajgade argued that unreliable diagnostic reports could mislead treatment decisions and compromise patient safety. The government failed to present satisfactory details about existing regulations or enforcement actions against such labs during the hearing, prompting the court to criticize the lack of preparedness. The bench ordered the government to gather necessary information from relevant authorities and submit a comprehensive affidavit within a week. Officials informed the court that a new regulatory framework is being developed to address the issue, but the petitioner reiterated that only labs meeting prescribed qualifications should be legally permitted to operate.#maharashtra_government #bombay_high_court #digambar_pajgade #public_health_department #criminal_pil

HC Gives NMC Final Week to Explain Contaminated Water Crisis The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit a detailed explanation within a week regarding allegations of supplying contaminated drinking water to residents in nine of the city’s ten zones. The court expressed displeasure over the civic body’s failure to file a response to the issue, which has raised serious public health concerns. The directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed after The Times of India (TOI) reported on the crisis, highlighting the potential risks to thousands of residents. The court’s division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas, was hearing the case after an amicus curiae, Ishika Mahadule, presented the matter. Gemini Kasat represented the NMC in the proceedings. During a meeting chaired by the mayor, it was revealed that contaminated water had reached over 50 localities, potentially affecting approximately 400,000 residents. The affected areas span multiple zones, including Ajni and East Samarth Nagar in Laxmi Nagar; Dabha, Pandhrabodi, and Panchsheel Nagar in Dharampeth; and Vasant Nagar in Dhantoli. In Nehru Nagar, the affected areas include Nandanvan Layout, Gurudev Nagar, Kavelu Quarter, and Tajbagh. Other zones impacted are Siraspet, Jalalpura, Ganeshpeth, and Lodhipura in Gandhibagh, as well as parts of Itwari railway station, Premnagar, and Bhankheda in Satranjipura. The crisis gained urgency after TOI reported that contamination in Mankapur led to around 50 residents falling ill. This incident has sparked questions about the effectiveness of the city’s water quality monitoring system and its ability to ensure a safe, round-the-clock water supply.#nagpur #times_of_india #bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #public_interest_litigation

Bombay High Court Orders ₹5 Lakh Compensation to Sweet Shop After FDA Licence Suspension Despite 98% Hygiene Compliance The Bombay High Court on Monday (July 17) ruled against the Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) for continuing to suspend the licence of a Pune-based sweet shop, Gurunanak Dairy & Sweets, despite its 98% hygiene compliance. The court criticized the FDA for what it termed "harassment" and ordered the authority to compensate the outlet ₹5 lakh for losses incurred during the 34-day suspension. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad quashed the FDA’s order to suspend the shop’s licence. The outlet had been halted from operations since June 12 due to alleged hygiene violations, but a re-inspection on July 9 revealed it met 98% of hygiene standards. Despite this, the FDA did not restore the licence until August 11, when the appeal process was still pending. The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Abhijeet Desai, argued that the 34-day suspension caused a revenue loss exceeding ₹8 lakh, as the shop typically earns ₹25,000 daily. However, the court expressed skepticism about the FDA’s stance, noting that the authority’s refusal to lift the suspension despite the compliance report was unreasonable. Justice Ghuge remarked, "This is harassment. Now they have lost business from June to July. Who will compensate for this? Your Mantralaya canteens were 98 per cent compliant, but did you suspend their licence? No. Then why suspend the licence of the petitioners? Who will compensate the loss? You want us to believe that there's no malice on your mind? This is just verbosity.#bombay_high_court #food_drugs_administration #gurunanak_dairy_sweets #abhijeet_desai #gurunanak_dairy_sweets_vs_union_of_india

Bombay High Court Rules Religious Practices Must Yield to Public Interest and Law and Order The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently clarified that the right to practice one’s religion under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution is not absolute and must be balanced against the interests of law and order, public welfare, and the needs of other societal groups. This ruling came in response to a petition filed by Deepak Nechwani, who challenged police restrictions on the route of a proposed Kavad Yatra, a religious procession carrying consecrated water for a Shivling’s jalabhishek. The court dismissed the petition, emphasizing that authorities have the discretion to regulate religious processions when public safety, traffic, and social harmony are at stake. The dispute centered on a proposed route for the Kavad Yatra that would pass through Mominpura, an area with a significant minority population and several mosques and dargahs. The police had denied permission for the route, citing concerns over public order, traffic congestion, and safety. The DCP’s order, issued on August 1, noted that the proposed path would traverse eight mosques and one dargah, raising fears of potential unrest. This was not the first time the area had experienced tensions; the police referenced a January 22, 2024, incident near Jama Masjid in Mominpura and communal unrest on March 17, 2025, following a protest linked to Aurangzeb’s tomb. Nechwani argued that the petition was a test of India’s secularism, asserting that religious processions cannot be barred solely because their routes pass through areas with other religious communities. However, the court rejected this stance, stating that the issue was not about religious freedom but about regulating the use of public roads.#allahabad_high_court #bombay_high_court #mominpura #deepak_nechwani #kavad_yatra

Bombay High Court Draws Line Between ‘Custody’ and ‘Arrest’ in Detention Case The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently clarified the legal distinction between police “custody” and a formal “arrest” in a case involving a businessman who alleged his fundamental rights were violated due to prolonged detention. The court dismissed his plea, ruling that evidence did not support the claim he was unlawfully detained for over 24 hours before appearing in court. A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta emphasized that while custody may sometimes equate to arrest, the two concepts are not interchangeable in all circumstances. The case centered on an investigation into alleged possession of firearms, live ammunition, narcotics, and other items by a co-accused, with the petitioner challenging his detention and subsequent remand. The petitioner, an Itwari resident, argued that he was not formally arrested when police took him from his home on March 31, 2026, and that his liberty was curtailed without proper legal procedures. He relied on CCTV footage to assert that he was not produced in court within the constitutionally mandated 24-hour window. However, the court examined the footage and found it did not show any use of force or restrictions on his movements. Instead, the footage depicted him voluntarily accompanying police personnel as they left his residence. The prosecution, represented by senior counsel Deven Chauhan, contended that the petitioner was initially brought in for an inquiry and formally arrested only after investigators uncovered links between him and the co-accused. The court’s analysis of the evidence included station diary entries, arrest records, and legal precedents. It noted that the accused was produced before the court at 5:15 p.m.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #deven_chauhan #urmila_joshi_phalke #nivedita_mehta

NMC Unveils Citywide Drainage Overhaul Plan Before HC Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has submitted an affidavit to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, defending its approach to urban flooding and outlining a comprehensive plan to modernize the city’s stormwater drainage system. The affidavit, filed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Janmanch, addresses concerns over recurring waterlogging during heavy rainfall. The civic body stated that while severe rain on July 28 caused temporary water accumulation in isolated areas, the situation had “substantially normalised within approximately one to two hours.” The corporation emphasized that isolated waterlogging incidents during extreme weather cannot be construed as systemic failure. The NMC’s response includes a long-term, watershed-based drainage strategy covering the entire city. This plan involves strengthening stormwater infrastructure through reinforced concrete (RCC) box drains, pipelines, culverts, cross-drainage structures, retaining walls, chambers, and other civil works. These measures are based on detailed hydrological and engineering assessments. The corporation has also proposed appointing a specialized technical consultant to oversee the planning, design, tendering, and execution of the drainage network, with the proposal currently pending approval from the Standing Committee. In addition to the drainage overhaul, the NMC highlighted ongoing sewerage projects aimed at reducing pressure on rivers during heavy rainfall. Under the Amrut 2.0 initiative, approximately 537 kilometers of sewer network is being laid in the southern Pora river catchment, with completion expected by June 2028.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #janmanch #amrut_2_0 #jica

HC Stays Hockey Ground Takeover, Orders Divisional Commissioner to Act on VHA Appeal The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday stayed the proposed takeover of the Amravati Road hockey ground by the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), directing the divisional commissioner to resolve the association’s appeal against the cancellation of its lease within six weeks. The court’s decision came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by VHA after it failed to secure interim protection from the divisional commissionerate. The district administration had issued a notice on August 5 to take possession of the ground on August 13, following a collector’s July 17 order canceling the lease and ordering the resumption of the Nazul land. Advocates Shantanu Khedkar and Anurag Mankar, representing VHA before Justice Nandesh Deshpande, argued that the high court’s intervention was critical to prevent the association from being dispossessed while its appeal remained pending. Mankar emphasized that the divisional commissionerate had not addressed the appeal on its merits and had only declined a stay. “If possession of the ground was taken away while the appeal was pending, the appeal would lose its purpose,” Mankar stated. The dispute centers on approximately 3.80 acres of government-owned Nazul land on Amravati Road, leased to VHA for hockey activities. According to the petition, the lease was renewed in 2007 and was set to expire in September 2037. However, the collector’s July 17 order canceled the lease, citing alleged breaches such as lack of recognition, maintenance issues, and non-payment of annual lease rent of just Rs3.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #vidarbha_hockey_association #divisional_commissioner #nazul_land

HC steps in over roads, healthcare crisis in Gadchiroli’s remote Madia-Gond villages The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Gadchiroli collector to personally visit five remote Madia-Gond tribal villages during the monsoon season to address longstanding grievances related to the absence of all-weather roads, bridges, and essential public services. The order, issued by a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, came after a plea filed by residents of Gopnar, Dhirangi, Moradpar, Lashkar, and Aladandi (Halodandi) villages in Bhamragad taluka. These villages, part of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and Scheduled Tribe community, are represented by counsel Bodhi Ramteke. The petition highlights that the villages remain disconnected from the rest of the district for over five months annually during the monsoon season due to the lack of infrastructure across the Pamulgautam River and surrounding streams. This isolation severely restricts access to hospitals, schools, government offices, and markets, forcing patients, pregnant women, and elderly residents to cross flooded areas. The petition alleges that the lack of timely medical care has resulted in several deaths, with residents often carried across water bodies to reach essential services. The petition further claims that despite policy provisions for relaxed population norms for healthcare facilities and mobile medical units in Madia tribal areas, the villages have not received such services. It also notes the disruption of education due to the closure of Zilla Parishad schools and the failure to implement transport facilities outlined in government policies.#bombay_high_court #gadchiroli_collector #madia_gond_villages #bodhi_ramteke #pamulgautam_river