A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court’s Kolhapur Bench seeks a direction to the Maharashtra government to fill posts that are not filled in 14 bodies, including the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Commissions for rights
The plea has been filed by Vivekanand Patil, a student and an activist, through Advocate Asim Sarode. . It says the vacancies affect four lakh aspirants for examinations in the State, and the working of these institutions.
The document was filed under Article 226. It asks for a writ of mandamus. The respondents are the Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department.
The petition states the MPSC has 92 vacant posts out of the total 270 posts. It says this can affect schedules of examinations, redress of grievances and transparency in recruitment.
The document lists vacancies in the bodies. The State Human Rights Commission has 29 vacancies against 54 posts. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has 15 vacancies out of 35 posts. The State Information Commission has 56 posts that are not filled out of 146 posts. The Lokayukta has 33 vacancies out of 87 posts. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has 125 posts that are not filled out of 497 posts.
It also points to the Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation, which has 20 employees against 267 posts for recruitment. This is a vacancy rate of about 92.5%. The petition says these vacancies can weaken implementation of welfare schemes and objectives of justice in society and development. It mentions institutions that monitor policies and programmes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
PIL questions reporting and transparency
The PIL says that the MPSC published its report for 2022–23 only in July 2026 and omitted appendix data on staff workloads. It points to failure of the State Minorities Commission and the State Commission for Women to publish reports each year. It says publication of reports in time is needed for oversight by the legislature, accountability to people and assessment of performance of institutions.
The petition says delays in recruitment affect agencies for recruitment, bodies that hear cases and institutions for oversight under law. It says inaction raises concerns under Articles 14 and 21. These Articles cover equality before law and right to life and personal liberty.
As relief during hearing, the petitioner asks the High Court to direct the State to submit details of vacancies in all institutions in the petition and disclose measures to complete recruitment. The petition also seeks a direction to fill all posts that are not filled under sanction within a period.
Advocate Asim Sarode represents Vivekanand Patil. Advocates Shriya Awale, Arya Rajebhosale, Saklen Mujawar and Sudarshan Kelgane assisted him.
Mr. Sarode said the vacancies in these institutions have continued without a workforce. He said governance requires these institutions to function, and the outcome of the petition will help commissions in Maharashtra and accountability in administration.
Published – October 10, 2026 03:10 am IST
