The Bombay High Court, one of India’s oldest and most esteemed high courts, has jurisdiction over the Indian states of Maharashtra, Goa, and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Founded in August 14, 1862, under the Indian High Courts Act of 1861.It fall under the class of one of the oldest high courts in India along with Madras High Court and Calcutta High Court. Bombay High Court is designed by the British architect Col. James A. Fuller, the court building is a heritage structure and a UNESCO-listed site.
Jurisdiction & Authority of the Bombay High Court is original, appellate, and writ jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, and the Union Territories. The court hears proceedings pertaining to criminal cases, civil and administrative cases. It also considers nautical or admiralty cases, including disagreements pertaining to shipping. To guarantee accessibility throughout its jurisdiction, the court maintains benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa.
It can enforce fundamental rights by issuing writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto) in accordance with Article 226 of the Constitution. The Bombay High Court can examine government policies and initiatives to make sure they adhere to the Indian Constitution. In addition, it is in charge of hearing matters from lower courts and other tribunals and oversees the operations of subordinate courts and tribunals under its authority.
As of March 10, 2025, the Bombay High Court has delivered several significant rulings that have impacted various legal and social aspects. Notable among these are:
1. Dismissal of the Dawoodi Bohra Succession Suit
• Case Overview: A lawsuit contesting Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s appointment as the 53rd Dai-al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community was dismissed by the Bombay High Court on April 23, 2024. On the basis of a private statement (nass) made by the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the plaintiff, Taher Fakhruddin, asserted succession.
• Court’s Conclusions: The court stressed that in cases involving religious succession, verifiable evidence is essential. It concluded that Fakhruddin’s assertion was mostly based on personal memories and lacked adequate supporting evidence. Saifuddin’s succession, on the other hand, was backed by official statements, eyewitness accounts, and records.
• Legal Impact: This decision upheld the judiciary’s position that significant evidence is necessary when it comes to the succession of religious and communal leaders. It emphasized how crucial public statements are to creating legitimacy more so than private claims.
2. Directives Regarding Mahul Rehabilitation
• Case Overview: Industrial pollution caused terrible living conditions for residents in Mumbai’s Mahul area. In order to resolve the complaints of the people who had been moved to this area, the Bombay High Court stepped in.
• Court’s Conclusions: The court determined that the location was unfit for habitation and acknowledged that the occupants’ quality of life had been negatively impacted. In order to assist relocation, it ordered the state government to offer alternate housing or pay the inhabitants a monthly rent payment.
• Legal Impact: This ruling emphasized the judiciary’s responsibility to protect citizens’ rights to a safe environment and respectable living standards. It established a standard for holding officials responsible for making sure infrastructure and urban development projects are appropriately restored.
3. Enforcement of Aadhaar-PAN Linking
• Overview of the Case: Petitioners seeking to link Aadhaar numbers to Permanent Account Numbers (PANs) for income tax purposes were heard by the Bombay High Court.
• The Court’s conclusions: The government’s mandate was maintained by the court, which emphasized the importance of this connection in preventing tax evasion and guaranteeing financial transaction transparency.
• Legal Impact: This decision affected tax policy compliance and enforcement by reaffirming the Aadhaar-PAN linkage’s legality. It reaffirmed the judiciary’s backing for policies that increase financial accountability.
4. Dismissal of Sachin Waze’s Habeas Corpus Petition
• Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze filed a habeas corpus plea, which the Bombay High Court denied on March 6, 2025. Waze claimed his arrest was unlawful and requested release in relation to the Antilia bomb fear case. Waze’s allegations were rejected by a division bench consisting of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Shriram Modak, who issued the ruling.
5. Dismissal of Challenge to Dharavi Redevelopment Contract Awarded to Adani Group
• On December 20, 2024, a petition against the Adani Group’s contract award for the rehabilitation of Mumbai’s Dharavi slum was dismissed by the Bombay High Court. SecLink Technologies Corporation, a Dubai-based company that had previously won a tender in 2018, claimed that Adani had benefited from manipulation of the bidding process. Since the bidding conditions were not customized to fit the needs of any specific bidder, the court dismissed these claims without finding any substance.
6. Recent Legal Developments
The Bombay High Court frequently renders decisions on important cases, such as:
• Adhaar-PAN Linking: Maintained the government’s requirement that PANs be linked to Aadhaar in order to comply with tax laws.
• Environmental Issues: Prohibited uncontrolled development initiatives that could negatively impact the environment.
• Freedom of Speech Cases: Handled cases pertaining to social media legislation and media freedom.
A pillar of India’s legal system, the Bombay High Court is essential to upholding justice, interpreting the law, and defending constitutional rights. Its decisions frequently establish national legal precedents in addition to having an impact on Maharashtra and Goa.
Indian law, governance, corporate practices, and social standards are all significantly shaped by the Bombay High Court’s decisions. It has an effect on the entire Indian legal system, not just Maharashtra and Goa.
These rulings Highlight the Bombay High Court’s crucial function in interpreting the law and resolving matters that have a big influence on society. In addition to settling individual cases, the court’s rulings establish legal precedents that affect subsequent cases and legislative initiatives.
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