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

Order Date: 9 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Dr.D.Y.Patil Pratisthan (and another) filed multiple writ petitions (Nos. 13638, 13643, 13644, 13645, 13646, 13647, 13648, 13664, 13673, 13674, 13675, 13676) against various respondents (individuals such as Sachin Dhanraj Narjapure, Anup Rambhau Chapale, Swapnil Vijay Ghogardare, etc.).
  • All petitions challenge the order dated 8 June 2024 passed by the Grievance Redressal Committee of Savitribai Phule Pune University on grounds of lack of valid quorum and questionable territorial jurisdiction.
  • Counsel for the petitioner relied on Supreme Court judgment in Soma Cyriac Vs. Chairman, Dr.D.Y.Patil Education Enterprise Charitable Trust and others (Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (c) No.8512/2023, dated 25‑02‑2025), where a similar committee order was set aside for procedural defects.
  • The University cited the amended provisions of Section 79 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, which introduce an Ombudsperson to decide all types of grievances of teachers and other employees, effective from 13 August 2026. The amendment outlines the selection, appointment, tenure, removal, and procedural timelines for the Ombudsperson.
  • Counsel for the beneficiaries acknowledged that the impugned orders benefit the petitioners but expressed no objection to remanding the matters to the Ombudsperson, provided the hearing is completed in a time‑bound manner.
  • Both parties agreed that the petitions could be disposed of by remanding them to the Ombudsperson for fresh hearing.
  • The Court noted that the Ombudsperson post is currently vacant and the University is in the process of appointing one.

Final Outcome

1. All writ petitions are allowed as per prayer clause (a); the impugned orders dated 8 June 2024 of the Grievance Redressal Committee are quashed and set aside.

2. Savitribai Phule Pune 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 shall hear the parties and pass a reasoned order on each petition within six months from the date 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.

6. The Court clarifies that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits; the Ombudsperson shall decide the disputes on merits and in accordance with law.

7. All writ petitions are disposed of on the above terms. No costs are awarded.

Topics: University Governance, Legal Remedy