Bombay HC Aurangabad Directs Union to Produce Petitioners' Answer Sheets in Examination Dispute

The Bombay High Court's Aurangabad Bench has ordered the Union of India to produce the answer sheets of two student petitioners challenging examination results, listing the matters on urgent footing.

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court, on 23 July 2026, issued notice to the Union of India and directed it to place before the court the answer sheets of two minor or young petitioners who have approached the court by way of separate writ petitions. The Division Bench of Justice Nitin B. Suryawanshi and Justice Abasaheb D. Shinde heard both matters together and listed them in the urgent category, returnable on 30 July 2026.

The Petitions Before the Court

Two writ petitions were placed before the bench. The first, Writ Petition No. 8384 of 2026, was filed by Hricha Prafull Deshpande, a minor represented through her guardian Renuka P. Deshpande, against the Union of India through its Secretary and other respondents. The second, Writ Petition No. 8403 of 2026, was filed by Soham Nitin Gavate against the Union of India through its Secretary and one other respondent.

Mr. Amit A. Yadkikar appeared for the petitioner in Writ Petition No. 8384 of 2026. Mr. J. Salunke Sudarshan appeared for the petitioner in Writ Petition No. 8403 of 2026. Mr. Rohit S. Sarvadnya appeared for the respondents in both matters and waived service of notice on their behalf.

Directions Issued

The bench issued notice to the respondents in both petitions, making the notices returnable on 30 July 2026. Mr. Sarvadnya, appearing for the Union of India and the other respondents, waived service, dispensing with formal service of notice.

The court directed the respondents to produce the petitioners' answer sheets on the next date of hearing. Both matters were also directed to be listed in the urgent category.

Order

By the order dated 23 July 2026, the Division Bench of Justice Nitin B. Suryawanshi and Justice Abasaheb D. Shinde issued notice in Writ Petition Nos. 8384 and 8403 of 2026, directed the Union of India to produce the petitioners' answer sheets on 30 July 2026, and listed both matters in the urgent category.