Bombay High Court: Requests Against Maharashtra's Voting Area Setup Rejected

CHANDRASEN ISHWARRAO PATIL Vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS

Quick Summary: The Bombay High Court rejected several requests that challenged the setup of voting areas for local elections in Maharashtra. The court highlighted that it couldn't get too involved in election matters, as outlined by the Constitution.

Background: Multiple Requests Made

Several requests were made against the State of Maharashtra and the State Election Commission. The main issue? Changes in the boundaries of voting areas for local elections. Those who filed the requests argued that these changes were unfair and influenced by politics.

Court's View on Its Role

The court, led by Judges Manish Pitale and Y.G. Khobragade, explained that their ability to get involved in these matters is limited. They referred to Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, which limits courts from interfering in election processes like setting voting area boundaries.

"It is not for the court to dictate the manner in which the same would be done," the judgment noted.

Main Points from Those Who Filed Requests

• Request 10237/2025: Abhijeet Deshmukh argued that his complaints were ignored and the changes were unfair.
• Request 10362/2025: Haribhau Kumatkar and others claimed that changes were made to help certain political parties.
• Request 10408/2025: Jyotiba Kharate was unhappy about his village being moved to a different area, causing inconvenience.

Court's Response: Following Rules

The court found that the State followed the rules from a government order dated June 12, 2025. This included using the 2011 Census for decisions and considering natural boundaries like rivers and roads.

"The zig-zag pattern contemplated in Government order dated 12.06.2025 was broadly followed," the court observed.

Why the Court Rejected the Requests

The judges emphasized that those who filed the requests couldn't prove any bad intentions or unfairness by the authorities. They also pointed out that the Supreme Court had instructed elections to be held without delay.

Elections to Proceed

The court rejected all requests, highlighting the importance of not delaying the election process. The decision aligns with the Supreme Court's instruction to speed up local elections in Maharashtra.

In short, the court supported the changes, allowing the election process to continue without any issues.