PANDIT BHIKA JADHAV Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith. Heard the litigating sides finally at the admission stage with their consent.

(2.) The petitioners are office bearers of registered trust namely Marathwada Banjara Seva Sangh, which runs seven Ashram Schools in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). They are invoking jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to challenge order dtd. 29/3/2023 passed by the respondent No. 2/Desk Officer Other Backward Bahujan Social Welfare Department, for appointment of administrator, order dtd. 18/4/2023 issued by the respondent No. 4/Deputy Director, order dtd. 15/12/2023 issued by the respondent No. 2 and consequential order dtd. 27/12/2023 issued by the respondent No. 3/Director for withdrawal of recognition of seven Ashram Schools. We propose to decide the matters by common judgment and order as there are common grounds of challenge. We are referring the parties as per their status in Writ Petition No. 1263 of 2024.

(3.) Marathwada Banjara Seva Sangh, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) (hereinafter referred as to 'Sangh' for the sake of brevity and convenience) runs three Primary Ashram Schools, three Secondary Ashram Schools and one Higher Secondary Ashram School receiving 100% grant in aid. There was election of managing committee on 31/8/2009 for the period 2009-2011. The last change report was accepted on 16/4/2015. Other change reports are awaiting adjudication. We need not go into rivalry amongst the office bearers.