Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by several residents of Dhangawadi, Taluka Bhor, District Pune. The petitioners challenged the allocation of land in Gat No. 237 by the State of Maharashtra to Rajgad Dnyanpeeth, an educational trust led by an ex-minister. The land, originally reserved for the Village Extension Scheme intended for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, was allotted to the trust for educational purposes, allegedly without following proper procedures. The petitioners sought the cancellation of the land allotment, citing misuse of authority and failure to adhere to the prescribed procedures.

1. Background of the Case:

• The PIL was initiated by villagers who claimed that the land was initially reserved for welfare schemes targeting marginalized communities.
• The disputed land was later allocated to Rajgad Dnyanpeeth, bypassing the intended use for the Village Extension Scheme.

2. Petitioners' Claims:

• Allegations of misuse of power by the ex-minister in facilitating the land transfer.
• Accusations that the land allocation process was not transparent and violated statutory regulations.

3. Respondents' Defense:

• The defense argued that the petition was delayed and politically motivated.
• The land was legally allocated for educational purposes with all necessary approvals.

4. Court's Findings:

• The Court examined the legitimacy of the land allotment process.
• Consideration of whether the land could be legally diverted from the Village Extension Scheme.

5. Judgment and Conclusion:

• The Court upheld the land allotment to Rajgad Dnyanpeeth, dismissing the PIL due to delays in filing and lack of substantial evidence of illegality.
• The judgment emphasized the need for proper procedural adherence in land allocation but did not find sufficient grounds to overturn the existing allotment.