In a recent development, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern warning to Maharashtra’s higher and technical education secretary and the director of the Directorate of Higher Education. The court has threatened to take judicial cognisance if the pending grants for Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, are not released immediately.
This warning came during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by Suresh Pangul, who sought the release of service benefits. A division bench comprising Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri issued summons to Dr. Shailendra Deolankar, Director of Higher Education. Dr. Deolankar appeared in court where Justice Sambre informed government pleader Devendra Chavan that Justice Bhushar Gavai, Chancellor of MNLU Nagpur and Supreme Court judge, had reported that the state government had not released funds for the construction of hostels and other development projects at the university.
The court emphasized that failure to release the necessary funds would compel it to take judicial action. Justice Sambre directed that the higher and technical education secretary and the director of the Directorate of Higher Education be notified of the issue and urged to address the court’s concerns.