Bombay HC grants interim protection to Nilesh Sambare in bill payment case, cites political rivalry

The Bombay High Court has given major relief to social worker and contractor Nilesh Sambare. In an interim order, the court said no coercive action should be taken against him. The case relates to the bill for a Public Works Department job. The High Court observed that a political motive and political rivalry were clearly visible behind the case. The order was passed by a single bench of Justice Milind N. Jadhav.

The matter dates to 2015, when Sambare completed a development work for the Public Works Department. The bill for the work remained unpaid for a long time. When Sambare sought payment, the government paid him Rs 73,13,884.

About 11 years later, in 2026, the department began an internal inquiry into the payment because of irregularities in budget calculation (budget miscalculation). The inquiry concluded that the amount had been paid to the contractor inadvertently. The department then sent Sambare a notice asking him to return the money immediately.

On receiving the government notice, Sambare immediately returned the entire Rs 73,13,884. A case was still registered against him. Challenging this action, Sambare filed a criminal writ petition in the High Court through senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola.

Hearing the petition, Justice Jadhav closely examined the available documents. The court said the petitioner is not only a contractor but also a social worker. His organisation runs several charitable hospitals, schools for visually impaired children and free libraries. According to the court, he has successfully completed contract works worth crores of rupees in his career. When the government issued the notice over the amount, he came forward himself and deposited the entire sum at once by cheque. The court noted that a case was nevertheless registered against him.

The High Court granted Sambare interim protection from action. Notice has been issued to the state government, which has been directed to file a detailed affidavit within four weeks. The petitioner has then been allowed two weeks to put forward his response. Additional Government Pleader Sangeeta Phad accepted notice on behalf of the state government. The next hearing in the case will be on December 17, 2026.

The High Court's order has brought major relief to Nilesh Sambare amid election and political activity.