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The Bombay High Court’s Kolhapur bench has directed authorities to submit a status report on the condition of the Shri Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur in Maharashtra after a public interest litigation raised concerns over its protection and upkeep. The court, comprising Justices Madhav J. Jamdar and Pravin S. Patil, issued notice to the respondents and directed Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 to place a report on the temple’s status before the court. The matter was scheduled for further hearing on May 8, 2026.
The Bombay High Court’s Kolhapur bench has sought a status report on the condition of the Shri Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur in Maharashtra, following concerns raised before the court regarding the protection and present state of the heritage structure.
The direction was issued on May 6, 2026, during the hearing of a public interest litigation before a division bench comprising Justice Madhav J. Jamdar and Justice Pravin S. Patil. The petition was filed by Prashant Vasantrao Salunke, with the Union of India and other authorities named as respondents.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the Shri Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur was in ruins and completely unprotected. Taking note of this contention, the court directed Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 to submit a status report concerning the temple before the next date of hearing.
The court’s direction places the immediate focus on establishing the current condition of the temple and the measures being taken by the concerned authorities for its protection. The status report is expected to provide the court with information on the structure and its existing safeguards before the matter is considered further.
The order was passed in Public Interest Litigation No. 20 of 2026. The proceedings were before the Circuit Bench at Kolhapur under the civil appellate jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court. The order records the appearance of lawyers representing the petitioner, the Union government and other respondents.
The court also issued notice to the respondents, making the matter returnable on May 8, 2026. In addition to court notice, the petitioner was directed to serve the respondents through private notice and file an affidavit of service before the returnable date.
Several respondents waived service through their respective counsel during the hearing. Counsel appearing for Respondent No. 1, the Union of India, waived service on its behalf, while the learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for Respondent Nos. 5 to 9 did the same. Counsel for Respondent No. 10 also waived service.
The court’s intervention comes against the backdrop of the petitioner’s concern over the condition and protection of the temple. Rather than making an immediate finding on the allegations, the bench has sought information from the concerned authorities through a formal status report.
The report will allow the court to assess the position on the ground and determine what further directions, if any, may be required. The matter was accordingly stood over to May 8, 2026, when the court is expected to consider the submissions and the status of the requested report.
The order, however, does not record any reference to INR 22 crore worth of works at the temple. Therefore, that figure cannot be attributed to the court order provided as the source for this report.
Source- India Kanoon
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