KRUSHI VA GRAMIN VIKAS PRATISHTANS RAJE SHAHAJI KASHINATH MAHAVIDYALAYA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the learned counsel appearing for the parties, the petitions are taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission.

(2.) These petitions are filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. They challenge orders, including the order dtd. 18/12/2025 passed by respondent No.3, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Divisional Board, whereby the examination centres of the petitioner institutions were cancelled for the purpose of conducting Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. The petitioners also seek consequential reliefs directing respondent Nos.2 and 3 to continue the examination centres already allotted to their respective junior colleges.

(3.) The petitions are a bunch of matters instituted by different colleges against similar action taken by respondent Nos.2 and 3. One writ petition i.e. WP/33/2026 has been filed by students. As they involve a common issue and arise from a substantially similar factual backdrop, we heard all petitions together. On behalf of the petitioners, learned Senior Counsel Mr. Katneshwarkar and learned Senior Counsel Mr. Sapkal argued at length. Learned advocates appearing in other petitions adopted the arguments advanced by the said learned Senior Counsel. Hence, all petitions are being decided by a common judgment and order. The factual matrix across petitions is materially the same, save and except certain dates and individualized events which do not materially affect adjudication of the core issue. We, therefore, record the facts of the lead matter being Writ Petition No.6 of 2026, which would govern the decision in the connected matters.