The Bombay High Court has allowed the continuation of the 10% Maratha reservation in education and employment for 2025, pending the final verdict on petitions challenging the 2024 law. Special hearings are scheduled on alternate Saturdays.

Bombay High Court Upholds 10% Maratha Reservation for 2025

In a significant update on the ongoing legal challenge to the Maratha reservation, a newly formed three-judge bench of the Bombay High Court confirmed that the interim order allowing 10% quota for the Maratha community in education and employment will remain effective for 2025. This decision is subject to the outcome of petitions challenging the 2024 Maratha quota law.

Special Bench to Hear Final Arguments on Alternate Saturdays

The bench, led by Justice Ravindra Ghuge, announced it will conduct special hearings every alternate Saturday to expedite the conclusion of the case. He is joined by Justice Nizamoodin Jamadar and Justice Sandeep Marne—each from different division benches.

“We understand the gravity of the matter and are committed to hearing your arguments on non-working days to ensure timely justice,” said the bench during the session.

Final Arguments to Begin on July 18

The court has scheduled final arguments to commence on Friday, July 18, from 3 PM to 5 PM. Proceedings will continue the following day, Saturday, July 19, from 11 AM to 5 PM, marking the start of an intensive hearing phase on the Maratha quota case.

Debate Over Interim Relief: Advocates Clash

Senior advocate Pradeep Sancheti, representing petitioner Sanjeet Shukla, argued that the interim relief granted in April 2024 was limited to that year. He emphasized that since final hearings had commenced under the previous bench led by then Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyay, new deliberations on interim relief were necessary.

However, Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf countered this request, asserting that detailed arguments had already been presented before and did not require repetition.

Court Maintains Interim Relief for 2025

The bench dismissed the demand to revisit interim relief arguments. Justice Ghuge noted that rearguing the matter would equate to prematurely addressing final points of law.

“Accepting the plea would effectively suspend the entire act and change the legal landscape entirely,” he stated. The court affirmed that the interim reservation for the Maratha community will continue for both admissions and recruitment in 2025, pending the final judgment.