Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur

Order Date: 21 August 2026

Case Overview

  • Petition: Writ Petition No. 11620 of 2025 filed by Shree Sant Shiromani Namdev Maharaj Charitable Trust against Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (Registrar) and the State.
  • Issue: Rejection dated 01 Oct 2025 of the Trust’s application for continuation of affiliation for its nursing programmes for academic year 2025‑26, allegedly without a hearing and mischaracterising the college as offering physiotherapy.
  • Petitioner’s claim: Violation of Section 73 of the MUHS Act which mandates an opportunity of hearing before rejection.
  • Respondent’s position: The earlier litigation concerned permanent withdrawal; the current rejection pertained to a fresh recognition application under Section 73, which the Trust may file.

Final Outcome

  • The Court held that since the petitioner indicated willingness to file a fresh application, it is unnecessary to examine the validity of the 01 Oct 2025 order.
  • The petition is disposed of with the direction that the petitioner may file a fresh application for recognition within two weeks of the order.
  • Upon receipt of such an application, MUHS (Respondent No. 1) must grant the petitioner an opportunity of hearing and render its decision within four months.

Topics: Affiliation, Higher Education, Legal Procedure