Nikhil Datta Raut v. the State of Maharashtra Thr. Its Chief Secretary and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Dismissed PIL No.1 of 2026, Bombay HC (CJ Shree Chandrashekhar & J. Gautam A. Ankhad), 17-02-2026. Petitioner Nikhil Datta Raut ('Anti-Corruption Jan Aakrosh', Palghar) alleged illegal quarrying, black-salt mining, RMC plants, mineral extraction and unauthorized industry across Palghar with official collusion; sought stay on operations of private Respondents 13-25, sealing of premises, police protection. Findings: adjournment refused; PIL vague, bereft of particulars; no specific allegations against 29 respondents save Super Sand Stone and Zeeco India Pvt. Ltd. (Eco-sensitive zone); suppression of FIRs No.40/2022, 460/2022, 154/2024 lodged by respondent no.13; oblique motive/personal gain; locus standi rule applied from Ashok Kumar Pandey v. State of West Bengal (2004) 3 SCC 349. Outcome: PIL dismissed.
What did the court decide?
The Court refused the adjournment sought by the petitioner's learned counsel (for producing additional documents and because his assisting counsel was away) and declined to grant any further adjournments, proceeding to decide the matter.