Shashikala Bholanath Patil vs Mr. Janardhan Kasar (the Deputy Collector Land Acquisition) — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Shashikala Bholanath Patil vs Mr. Janardhan Kasar (the Deputy Collector Land Acquisition) — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Interim directions in the pending contempt proceedings: the Registry to place the affidavit filed on behalf of respondent No.1 on record by the next date; respondent No.1 permitted to file a further affidavit within four weeks (Registry to accept during vacation); the paragraph No.5 direction of the order dated 24.11.2025 in Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025 to be complied with before the next listing, failing which Mr. Janardhan Kasar and Mr. Aavishkumar Sonone to remain personally present in Court; matter listed on 17.06.2026, High on Board. Final disposition reserved.

Issue for consideration

Whether respondent No.1 has been guilty of willful disobedience of the positive direction contained in paragraph No.5 of the Division Bench order dated 24.11.2025 passed in Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025. +1 more

Court's answer

A strong prima facie case is made out by the petitioner demonstrating that the conduct of respondent No.1 could be said to be willful disobedience of the direction in paragraph No.5 of the order dated 24.11.2025.

Ratio / Principle

The Court is not satisfied with the explanation sought to be given on behalf of respondent No.1, since the affidavit makes reference only to events that occurred prior to the order dated 24.11.2025 disposing of the writ petition.

Key takeaways

Respondent No.1 is granted an opportunity to file a further affidavit within four weeks, and the Registry is directed to accept such further affidavit during vacation.ratio¶19
In any case, the direction contained in paragraph No.5 of the order dated 24.11.2025 passed in Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025 shall be complied with before the next date of listing.ratio¶20
Failing compliance before the next date of listing, Mr. Janardhan Kasar, the then Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), and Mr. Aavishkumar Sonone, the present Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Metro Centre No.1, Uran, shall remain personally present in this Court on the next date of listing.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bombay High Court (Manish Pitale & Farhan P. Dubash, JJ.) — Contempt Petition No. 205 of 2026 in Writ Petition No. 10745 of 2025, decided 08.05.2026: Taking note of the allegation that the positive direction in paragraph No.5 of the Division Bench order dated 24.11.2025 disposing of Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025 had not been complied with (notice having been issued on 10.04.2026), the Court considered the affidavit-in-reply of respondent No.1, the Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition). Finding the explanation unsatisfactory because the affidavit referred only to events predating the order dated 24.11.2025, the Court held that a strong prima facie case of willful disobedience on the part of respondent No.1 was made out. Respondent No.1 was given four weeks to file a further affidavit (Registry to accept it during vacation). The paragraph No.5 direction was directed to be complied with before the next date of listing, failing which Mr. Janardhan Kasar, the then Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), and Mr. Aavishkumar Sonone, the present Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Metro Centre No.1, Uran, were to remain personally present in Court. Matter listed on 17.06.2026, High on Board.

4_CP_205_26.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 205 OF 2026

IN

WRIT PETITION NO. 10745 OF 2025

Shashikala Bholanath Patil and others … Petitioners vs. Janardhan Kasar, Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) and others … Respondents

Mr. Sanket Dipak Thakur for petitioners.

Mr. Soham Bhalerao (through V.C.) a/w. Mr. Harshit Tyagi and Mr. Rahul Sinha, i/b. DSK Legal for respondent - CIDCO

Mr. B. V. Samant, Addl. GP a/w. Ms. M. S. Bane, AGP for respondent – State.

CORAM : MANISH PITALE & FARHAN P. DUBASH, JJ DATE : 08^th MAY, 2026

P.C. :

. On 10.04.2026, this Court had issued notice in the present contempt petition, taking note of the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that a positive direction contained in paragraph No.5 of the order dated 24.11.2025 passed by a Division Bench of this Court, while disposing of Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025, has not been complied with.

The learned AGP submits that an affidavit-in-reply of the present Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) has been filed. It appears that the affidavit was e-filed recently and hence, the Registry was unable to share the same with this Court. The Registry is directed to ensure that the said affidavit filed on behalf of respondent No.1, is on the record of this Court on the next date of

PRIYAKAMBLI Digitallysigned byPRIYA KAMBLIDate:2026.05.0814:11:52+0530

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4_CP_205_26.doc

listing. For our convenience, the learned AGP tendered a photocopy of the same.

Having perused the contents thereof, we are not satisfied with the explanation sought to be given on behalf of respondent No.1. We find that reference is made to the events that occurred prior to the order dated 24.11.2025, passed by this Court, disposing of the writ petition. A strong prima facie case is made out by the petitioner to demonstrate that this could be said to be willful disobedience on the part of the said respondent.

The learned AGP submits that an opportunity may be granted to file a better affidavit.

Respondent No.1 is granted an opportunity to file a further affidavit within four weeks from today. The Registry is directed to accept such further affidavit during vacation.

In any case, the direction contained in paragraph No.5 of the order dated 24.11.2025 passed in Writ Petition No.10745 of 2025, shall be complied with before the next date of listing, failing which Mr. Janardhan Kasar, the then Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) as also Mr. Aavishkumar Sonone, the present Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Metro Centre No.1, Uran, shall remain personally present in this Court on the next date of listing.

List on 17.06.2026, High on Board.

(FARHAN P. DUBASH, J.)

(MANISH PITALE, J.)

Priya Kambli

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