Bombay High Court Registers Suo Moto PIL on Lack of Basic Facilities in Girls' Hostels

A Division Bench took suo moto cognisance of news reports describing inadequate facilities in girls' hostels across Maharashtra and appointed an Amicus Curiae to prepare the petition and gather information for the Court.

The Bombay High Court registered a suo moto Public Interest Litigation on 17 August 2026 after a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gautam A. Ankhad and Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge came across news reports on the state of girls' hostels in Maharashtra. The bench directed that the PIL be registered forthwith and appointed advocate Ms. Yugandhara Khanwilkar as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court. The matter is next listed on 2 September 2026.

The News Reports That Prompted Cognisance

The bench noted three specific news items: a report on page 4 of the Marathi daily Lokmat dated 14 August 2026, a report on page 5 of Maharashtra Times also dated 14 August 2026, and a further report on page 6 of Maharashtra Times dated 15 August 2026. All three concerned the absence of basic facilities in girls' hostels.

On the basis of these reports, the Registry was directed to register the petition as Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation (ST) No. 23909 of 2026 with immediate effect.

Appointment of Amicus Curiae

The bench requested Ms. Khanwilkar to assist as Amicus Curiae. She disclosed that she is also on the panel of Additional Government Pleaders with the State of Maharashtra. The Advocate General, Dr. Milind Sathe, appeared before the bench and stated that the Government Pleader's office had no objection to her serving in that capacity.

The bench asked Ms. Khanwilkar to research the issue, gather sufficient information, and prepare the suo moto PIL petition. She was directed to tender the petition to the Court by 29 August 2026.

Service on Respondent Authorities

The bench made clear that once the Memo of Petition is ready, copies would be served on the Respondent authorities — the State of Maharashtra — to enable them to take instructions before the next hearing date.

Outcome

The suo moto PIL has been directed to be listed in the Urgent Supplementary Board on 2 September 2026. The Amicus Curiae is to file the petition by 29 August 2026, and the State is to be served thereafter.