Bombay High Court Directs Maharashtra Government to Respond to Education Officer’s Plea

The Bombay High Court has instructed the Maharashtra government to respond to a plea by education officer Balasaheb Rakshe. Rakshe seeks a suspension stay following alleged sexual abuse incidents at a Badlapur school, claiming his suspension is politically motivated. The court will hear the plea and consider interim relief on September 6.

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to respond to a plea filed by Balasaheb Rakshe, an education officer from Thane district, seeking a stay on his suspension following the alleged sexual abuse of two girls at a school in Badlapur.

Rakshe claims the suspension is politically motivated and that he is being made a scapegoat. His initial plea for interim relief was denied by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT), prompting him to approach the high court.

A division bench of Justices A S Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil ordered the government to file an affidavit by September 6. The court will then consider Rakshe's request for a status quo until the final hearing. Rakshe's counsel argued that he has taken appropriate measures regarding the incident and that his suspension serves to protect the government's image.

(With inputs from agencies.)