406- WP(L)-15111-2026.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.11603 OF 2026 Cyril Nikodemas Bhosale ...Petitioner Versus The State of Maharashtra Thr, Its Principal Secretary & Ors. ...Respondents _______ Mr Sachin Pawar, i/b Shailesh Chavan, for Petitioner. Ms P M Joshi Deshpande, AGP for Respondents-State. _______ CORAM: G. S. KULKARNI & DR. NEELA GOKHALE, JJ. DATE: 10th SEPTEMBER 2026 P.C. 1. Heard Mr. Pawar learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Ms. Deshpande learned AGP representing the State. 2. The Petitioner is a qualified teacher who was appointed as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) by Respondent No.5 - The Poona Diocesan Educational Society (a minority educational institution running St. Joseph Boys High School, Khadki, Pune, which serves minority students) vide appointment order dated 01/09/2019. The proposal for personal approval of the Petitioner's appointment as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) was forwarded by Shivgan 406- WP(L)-15111-2026.DOC the institution through the headmaster to the office of Respondent No.3 - Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, Pune on 19th August 2020, with all requisite details and documents. Despite repeated follow-ups and personal visits to the office of Respondent No.3 as well as the Divisional Deputy Director of Education, Pune, the said proposal has remained pending for more than 6 years, without any decision being taken thereon. 3. By this Writ Petition, the Petitioner seeks a direction to Respondent No.3 - Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, Pune, to decide the proposal dated 19/08/2020 for personal approval of the Petitioner's appointment as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary) in St. Joseph Boys High School, Khadki, Pune, in a time-bound manner. 4. Considering the averments made in the Petition and the reliefs sought, Respondent No.3 is directed to consider and decide the proposal dated 19/08/2020 for personal approval of the Petitioner's appointment as Shikshan Sevak (Secondary), within a period of four weeks from the date on which this order is communicated to it. 5. Keeping all the contentions open in that regard, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. (DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J) (G. S. KULKARNI, J.) Shivgan SHAMBHAVI NILESH SHIVGAN Digitally signed by SHAMBHAVI NILESH SHIVGAN Date: 2026.09.16 12:19:03 +0530