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

Order Date: 9 Oct 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Dr.D.Y.Patil Pratisthan and others; Respondents: various individuals across multiple writ petitions (Nos. 13638, 13673, 13674, 13647, 13643, 13646, 13645, 13664, 13675, 13648, 13644).
  • Issue: Impugned orders dated 8 June 2024 of the Grievance Redressal Committee of Savitribai Phule Pune University alleged to lack valid quorum and territorial jurisdiction.
  • Counsel for petitioner cited Supreme Court decision in Soma Cyriac Vs. Chairman, Dr.D.Y.Patil Education Enterprise Charitable Trust (Petition for Special Leave to Appeal No.8512/2023 dated 25‑2‑2025) which set aside a similar committee order.
  • University counsel highlighted amended provisions of Section 79 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, effective 13 Aug 2026, establishing an Ombudsperson selected from a panel of three retired judges (not below the rank of District Judge).
  • The Ombudsperson position is currently vacant; the university is in the process of appointment.

Final Outcome

(i) All writ petitions are allowed; the impugned orders dated 8 June 2024 are quashed and set aside.

(ii) Savitribai Phule Pune University must appoint an Ombudsperson under Section 79 within two months of this order.

(iii) The petitions are remanded to the Ombudsperson, who must hear the parties and deliver a reasoned order within six months.

(iv) Parties may file written submissions before the Ombudsperson prior to hearing.

(v) All contentions of the parties are expressly kept open.

(vi) The Court expressly refrains from expressing any opinion on the merits; the Ombudsperson will decide on merits in accordance with law.

(vii) No costs are awarded; all writ petitions are disposed of in the above terms.

Topics: University Governance, Legal Remedy