Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction

Order Date: 9 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Dr.D.Y.Patil Pratisthan and another (common petitioner) filed multiple writ petitions (Nos. 13638, 13643, 13644, 13645, 13646, 13647, 13648, 13664, 13673, 13674, 13675, 13664) against various respondents (individuals) challenging the order dated 8 June 2024 of the Grievance Redressal Committee of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
  • The challenge was based on alleged lack of valid quorum and questionable territorial jurisdiction of the Committee.
  • Counsel for petitioners cited Supreme Court judgment in Soma Cyriac v. Chairman, Dr.D.Y.Patil Education Enterprise Charitable Trust which set aside a similar Committee order for procedural defects.
  • The University relied on the amended provisions of Section 79 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, which introduces an Ombudsperson to decide all types of grievances of teachers and other employees, effective from 13 August 2026.
  • The amendment specifies appointment procedure, term, removal, remuneration, and timelines for grievance disposal.
  • Counsel for beneficiaries expressed no objection to remand to the Ombudsperson, provided the hearing is completed in a time‑bound manner.
  • The Court noted that the Ombudsperson post is currently vacant and that several teachers and employees remain without redress.

Final Outcome

1. All writ petitions are allowed; the impugned orders dated 8 June 2024 passed by the University’s Grievance Redressal Committee are quashed and set aside.

2. The University is directed to appoint an Ombudsperson under Section 79 of the Act within two months from the date of this order.

3. The petitions are remanded to the Ombudsperson, who must hear the parties and pass a reasoned order on each petition within six months of this order.

4. Parties may file written submissions before the Ombudsperson prior to the hearing.

5. All contentions of the parties are expressly kept open; the Court makes no finding on the merits.

6. No costs are awarded.

Topics: University Governance, Grievance Redressal, Ombudsperson Appointment