Bombay HC has asked the new committee at Shirdi Sansthan Trust to refrain from taking any new decisions until further orders

The new committee at the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, was directed by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, September 21, to refrain from taking policy decisions, sanctioning expenditures, making appointments, or inducting new members until further orders.

A petitioner, Uttamrao Shelke, had filed a civil application in Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Uttamrao informed the court that the state government had appointed a new managing committee for the Sansthan. It was chaired by NCP MLA Ashutosh Kale. 

After a September 16 order, the committed took charge on September 17.

He argued that, as per earlier orders, the government can not appoint a committee without permission or seeking approval of the HC.

Shelke's Advocate Pradnya S Talekar referred to an October 9, 2019, HC order. The court had observed that in 2012 a committee was already appointed to supervise, monitor, and look after the financial affairs of Sansthan.

The civil application argued that the new committee formed did not follow any "transparent procedure," violating the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust Act.

Talekar also said that a new committee meeting is set to take place on September 26 and comprises certain issues on the agenda that require substantial financial transactions.

The state government's Additional Government Pleader (AGP) SG Karlekar and the Trust's advocate A S Bajaj have sought time to file replies to the civil application. HC agreed to the same.

The HC said that the further hearing of the plea will now take place on September 23 and observed that until then, the new committee that has allegedly taken charge should refrain from making any further decisions, policies, or including new members.