908-WP 13050.2026,BEO,PS(3).doc Kavita S.J. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.13050 OF 2026 Podar Education Trust Through its Trustees, Pavankumar Podar and Mangal Prasad Vishwanath Dixit and Anr. ...Petitioners Versus The Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department & Ors. ...Respondents ---------- Mr. Aditya Mehta a/w Mr. Shriraj Dhruv, Ms. Keya Reval, Ms. Jahnavi Pandey and Ms. Ashraya Baid i/b Dhru and Co. for Petitioners. Ms. Savina R. Crasto, AGP for Respondent Nos. 1 to 4 & 7. Mr. P. H. Gaikwad a/w Mr. S. V. Gavan for Respondent Nos. 5 & 6. ---------- CORAM : R.I. CHAGLA AND FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, JJ. DATE : 14TH OCTOBER, 2026. ORDER: 1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally by consent of the parties. 2. By the present Writ Petition, the Petitioners – School has 1/5 KAVITA SUSHIL JADHAV Digitally signed by KAVITA SUSHIL JADHAV Date: 2026.10.16 15:42:58 +0530 908-WP 13050.2026,BEO,PS(3).doc sought for reimbursement of fees of their students admitted under the 25% quota in terms of the provisions of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (“RTE Act”). 3. Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the parties. We have perused the prior orders passed by this Court, including order in City International Institution, Kothrud Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors.1, where similar relief had been sought and directions have been issued by this Court. Accordingly, in the present Writ Petition, we pass the following order.:- i. Notwithstanding the Petitioners – School having submitted its representations to Respondent No.6 – Block Education Officer, Education Department, Panchayat Samiti Shirur, Pune, together with the statement of actual dues for which reimbursement has been sought, the Petitioners – School shall address a fresh communication in the prescribed format annexing the supporting documents, which are relied upon for claiming reimbursement of their dues within a 1 WP 10361 of 2026, Order dated 20th August, 2026 2/5 908-WP 13050.2026,BEO,PS(3).doc period of one week from today i.e., on or before 21st October, 2026 to Respondent No.5 – Zilla Parishad, Pune and Respondent No.6. ii. Respondent Nos.5 & 6 shall upon receipt of such communication, within a period of one week therefrom i.e., on or before 28th October, 2026 call upon the Petitioners – School to comply with the remaining requisitions, if any. This shall be complied with by the Petitioners – School within a period of one week thereafter i.e., on or before 4th November, 2026. iii. Respondent Nos.5 & 6 shall then forward their recommendations to Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 7 – State on the Petitioners – School’s proposal within a period of two weeks therefrom i.e., on or before 18th November, 2026. iv. Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 7 – State shall upon receipt of the recommendations of Respondent Nos.5 & 6 determine the eligibility as well as the 3/5 908-WP 13050.2026,BEO,PS(3).doc quantum of reimbursement due and payable, within a period of seven weeks thereafter i.e., on or before 6th January, 2027. v. The admissible amount shall thereafter be released by Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 7 – State to Respondent No.5 within a period of two weeks from such determination i.e., on or before 20th January, 2027. vi. Respondent No.5 in turn, shall release such amount to the Petitioners – School within a period of one week from the receipt of the said amount i.e., on or before 27th January, 2027. vii. In the event the Petitioners – School is held to be not entitled for any amount of reimbursement, a reasoned order to that effect shall be passed and the Petitioners – School shall then be at liberty to seek redressal of its grievances, if any, in accordance with law. 4/5 908-WP 13050.2026,BEO,PS(3).doc viii. The aforesaid timelines have been prescribed after taking into account the submissions made by the Respondents and the period sought by them for such compliance. Accordingly, the timelines shall be strictly followed. ix. The present Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the aforesaid order. There shall be no order as to costs. 4. Place the present Writ Petition on 27th January, 2027 under the caption “For Compliance”. If by then, the directions given in this order have not been complied with, the concerned Officers of Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 7 – State and Respondent Nos.5 & 6, respectively, shall remain present in Court to explain the reason for such non-compliance on their part. [ FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J. ] [ R.I. CHAGLA J. ] 5/5