The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concern over the persistent non-functionality of the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner’s website and directed both the state government and the commissioner’s office to take immediate and coordinated steps to make it fully operational.
A division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna passed the directions earlier this month while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Shraddha More. The petitioner had raised concerns over the non-availability of an online facility to e-file cases before designated officers under the State Charity Commissioner.
The court noted discrepancies in official claims, stating, “It appears that there are serious problems with the website of the charity commissioner.” The bench pointed out that while the commissioner’s office had submitted a report stating the website was functional, the ground reality was contrary.
According to the report submitted by the charity commissioner, although the website has been operational since August 2016 and is managed by Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Ltd (MAHA IT), it has frequently been rendered non-functional due to inadequate server space. The commissioner’s office claimed that 500 GB of server space is required monthly from the State Data Centre, but this was not being provided consistently.
The report further stated that a large volume of 14.99 TB space was recently allocated, but technical issues still kept the website inoperative. These issues were reportedly resolved, and the site is now claimed to be functioning, with plans underway to develop a new website through a private agency.
MAHA IT, on its part, blamed delayed responses from the charity commissioner’s office for its inability to complete necessary technical upgrades and maintenance. In response, the High Court directed the charity commissioner to appoint an officer to closely coordinate with MAHA IT staff handling the annual maintenance contract.
“All necessary requirements to upgrade the server and install up-to-date technical requirements shall be completed as expeditiously as possible and within three weeks,” the court ordered.
The bench also directed the Maharashtra government to immediately release financial assistance required for the server upgrade and purchase of additional cloud space.
Highlighting the administrative shortcomings, the court observed that assistant and deputy charity commissioners were not uploading updated data to the website. The bench ordered the charity commissioner to ensure that all officers and staff timely update orders and proceedings online without any delay.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on June 11, by which time the state government and the charity commissioner are required to file compliance affidavits detailing steps taken.
Pending full restoration of online services, the court has permitted affected parties to continue filing their proceedings manually/offline.
