15 WP 18916-24 AND ANR-C.DOC Priya Soparkar IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 18916 OF 2024 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO.8060 OF 2026 IN WRIT PETITION NO. 18916 OF 2024 Hindalco Industries Limited …Petitioner Versus State of Maharashtra and anr. …Respondents Mr. S. Anchan, for the Petitioner. Ms. P. M. J. Deshpande, AGP with Mr. B. V. Samant, Addl. GP, for the State. CORAM: SUMAN SHYAM & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, JJ. DATED: 12th OCTOBER, 2026. PC:- 1. On 10th July, 2026, this Court had passed an order granting four weeks time to the Respondents to file reply. Since no reply was filed even after the expiry of four weeks on 18th September 2026, an order was passed by this Court fixing the matter today, by observing that the Writ Petition will be taken up for disposal at the stage of admission, based on the projections made in the Writ Petition. The State has come up with the present Application seeking extension of time to file reply. Page 1 of 3 PRIYA RAJESH SOPARKAR Digitally signed by PRIYA RAJESH SOPARKAR Date: 2026.10.13 16:36:51 +0530 15 WP 18916-24 AND ANR-C.DOC 2. According to Ms. P. M. J. Deshpande, the learned AGP appearing for the State, although the reply was ready on that day, yet, due to some personal difficulties faced by the concerned AGP, the same could neither be filed nor could correct fact, be pointed to the Court. Hence, this Application. 3. Although the Respondents have not filed reply to the Writ Petition, yet, Mr. S. Anchan, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner has verbally opposed the prayer. 4. We have perused the explanation submitted by the State. We have also noted that in the order dated 18th September, 2026, the right of the State to file reply was not closed by the Court, although the Writ Petition itself was posted for final hearing and disposal today. 5. Under such circumstances and considering the explanation furnished by the Applicant-State, we are inclined to take the reply on record. The physical copy of the reply has already been served upon the learned counsel for the Petitioner. The Interim Application is disposed of. Page 2 of 3 15 WP 18916-24 AND ANR-C.DOC 6. Reply be filed in the Registry within two days from today. 7. Let this Writ Petition be listed again on 2nd November, 2026. 8. The Petitioner would be at liberty to file rejoinder, if any, on or before the next date. 9. Interim order, granted earlier, if any, to continue till then. (GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.) (SUMAN SHYAM, J.) {