Pune, 25 March 2026: In a significant interim order, the Bombay High Court has restrained administrators appointed in gram panchayats across Maharashtra from taking major financial or policy decisions. The directive is expected to impact nearly 14,500 gram panchayats in the state.
A division bench of Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Abhay J. Mantri passed the order while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the state government’s decision to appoint former sarpanches as administrators after the expiry of panchayat terms on or before February 28, 2026.
The Maharashtra government had, in January 2026, decided to appoint former elected representatives as administrators in panchayats where terms had ended. This move was challenged in the High Court, including a petition filed by residents of Uruli Kanchan through Advocate Harshvardhan Milind Pawar.
Petitioners argued that appointing former elected members as administrators after their tenure ends goes against democratic principles and legal provisions. They also raised concerns that such administrators were approving development works, issuing tenders, and taking significant financial decisions.
Taking note of these concerns, the court clarified that the role of administrators is purely temporary and cannot extend to major decision-making. It directed that administrators must refrain from approving large expenditures, policy matters, or developmental decisions.
Instead, they have been permitted to carry out only routine administrative functions such as payment of staff salaries, electricity bills, water charges, sanitation expenses, and other essential day-to-day operations.
The court has also asked the state government to file its affidavit in response to the petitions. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 7.
