High Court Rejects PIL for Pune Airport Expansion, Advocates Administrative Recourse

Mumbai, 29th November 2023: The Bombay High Court, in the case of Aniruddha Deshpande v. Union of India & Ors., rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) petition advocating for the expansion of Pune airport.

Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, comprising the division bench, emphasized that decisions regarding airport location and expansion fall within the government’s purview, and the judiciary should refrain from intervening.

“The executive determines where to establish or expand an airport; it’s their domain. If they infringe upon private laws or fundamental rights, then the court can intervene. Seek recourse in other forums,” remarked the Court.

Aniruddha Deshpande, the petitioner, alleged that the airport authorities had acquired land for expansion but had not responded to his representations. Consequently, he approached the High Court, seeking a writ of mandamus to prompt the authorities to consider his representation. The Court, however, advised him to pursue administrative remedies, asserting, “While we acknowledge your cause for a larger airport in Pune, the proper forum is administrative. Pursue your remedy there.”

Granting the petitioner liberty to explore administrative channels, the bench emphasized the importance of choosing the right forum. In response, Deshpande withdrew his PIL, obtaining the Court’s permission to pursue the matter through alternative avenues.