MANAS SANDIP SATHE THR NEX FRIEND SANDIP BABURAO SATHE vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROU THE CHIEF SEC. AND ORS

Judgment text excerpt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.7601 OF 2026 Manas Sandip Sathe, ] Through next fried : ] Father Sandip Baburao Sathe ] .. Petitioner Versus 1. State of Maharashtra, ] Through the Chief Secretary of the State ] 2. The Principal Secretary, ] Law & Justice, Govt. of Maharashtra ] 3. The Principal Secretary, ] School Education Ministry, ] Government of Maharashtra ] 4. The Secretary, ] Maharashtra State Commission for ] Protection of Child Rights, ] Government of Maharashtra ] 5. Commissionerate of Education, ] Government of Maharashtra ] 6. Directorate of Education (Primary), ] Government of Maharashtra ] 7. Directorate of State Council of Educational ] Research & Training, Govt. of Maharashtra ] 8. Podar International School, ] Wagholi, Pune ] .. Respondents 1/8 901-WP-7601-2026.odt bdp Ms. Ahilya T. Nalawade, Advocate for the Petitioner. Smt. Neha Bhide, Government Pleader, with Mr. Kedar B. Dighe, Additional Government Pleader and Smt. G.R. Raghuwanshi, Assistant Government Pleader for the Respondent-State of Maharashtra. CORAM : RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, ACJ. & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J. RESERVED ON : 22nd JUNE, 2026. PRONOUNCED ON : 25th JUNE, 2026 JUDGMENT : { Per Gautam A. Ankhad, J. } 1. The Petitioner, a minor, has instituted the present Petition through his next friend and father, Sandip Baburao Sathe. The Petition seeks a direction to Respondent No.8-School to accept the Petitioner's Application for admission, subject to verification of his actual place of residence and thereafter grant him admission for the Academic Year 2026-27 under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 ("the RTE Act"). 2. The Petition states that since 6th August, 2025, the Petitioner and his parents hav