Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Kolhapur Bench
Order Date: 16 October 2026
Case Overview
- Petitions involved: WP No.4916/2026, WP No.5194/2026, WP No.5162/2026, WP No.5163/2026, WP No.5195/2026, WP No.5197/2026, WP No.5198/2026, WP No.5199/2026, and related writs, all filed in 2026.
- Petitioners: Various physiotherapy and rehabilitation colleges, including Mahalaxmi College of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha Govindrao Nikam Institute of Physiotherapy, Disha Shikshan Va Vikas Kendra, Life Institute of Physiotherapy, Housing College of Physiotherapy, Late Bhaiyyasaheb Ghorpade Institute Of Physiotherapy, Sureshanna Batkadli College of Physiotherapy, Dr. Patil Institute of Orthopedic Science College Physiotherapy, among others.
- Respondents: Primarily the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and the State of Maharashtra; in one petition the Union of India also appeared.
- Counsel: Petitioners were represented by various advocates (e.g., Vinayak Belgaonkar, Sagar Mane, Rahul Kasat, Prashant Bhavake, etc.). MUHS was represented by Senior Counsel Sachindra Shetye across all petitions. The State was represented by AGPs Tejas J. Kapre, Vikas M. Mali, Vijay G. Badgujar, Rajan S. Pawar, and Karan S. Thorat.
- The bench comprised Justices ABHAY AHUJA and NEERAJ P. DHOTE.
- The State Government’s stand, reiterated by MUHS, was that conditional affiliation for the Academic Year 2026‑2027 would be granted in accordance with the previously sanctioned intake capacity.
- The petitioners accepted this stance, indicating no further opposition.
- The court referenced the earlier order dated 6 October 2026 in Writ Petition No.13331 of 2026, which had addressed the same issue.
Final Outcome
- All the listed writ petitions were disposed of by the court.
- The disposition is based on the State Government’s position that conditional affiliation for AY 2026‑27, as per the sanctioned intake, is appropriate.
- No further hearing or remedial action was ordered; the petitions stand dismissed.
Topics: Affiliation, Higher Education, Legal Dispute