Mumbai:
The Supreme Court has directed that elections to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) be conducted within three months, bringing an end to prolonged delays in the poll process that has remained pending for several years.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan issued the directions to a newly appointed Returning Officer (RO), clarifying that the entire election process must begin de novo and strictly follow all procedures mandated by law, including the hearing of objections.
“The present petition stands disposed of with a direction to the Returning Officer to conduct the elections at the earliest and latest within a period of three months from today,” the bench ordered. The Court also directed that the polling date be fixed on a Sunday or public holiday to facilitate maximum participation by registered medical practitioners.
To avoid further delays, the Court made it clear that no other court should entertain challenges related to the conduct or conclusion of the MMC elections. Any grievance must be raised only before the Supreme Court in the same proceedings. The bench further warned that frivolous objections would be dealt with strictly.
Background of the Case
The MMC, a quasi-governmental and quasi-judicial body regulating over two lakh registered doctors in Maharashtra, last held elections in 2016. The subsequent polls were due in 2022 but were delayed amid legal challenges.
Earlier, a plea filed by Dr Sachin Pawar questioned the eligibility of the Returning Officer appointed by the Maharashtra government, arguing that the post must be held by an officer of at least undersecretary rank. While the High Court dismissed the plea as “misconceived” in March 2025, the matter reached the Supreme Court, which stayed the election process a day before the scheduled polling and directed the state to appoint a new RO.
During the hearing on January 7, 2025, the petitioner informed the Court that a new and eligible Returning Officer had been appointed, against whom there was no objection. The Solicitor General also fairly submitted that fresh elections could be conducted by the new RO after following due process.
Accepting these submissions, the Supreme Court ordered fresh elections within a fixed timeline, emphasizing cooperation from all parties to ensure the process reaches its logical conclusion.
The elected MMC members will play a crucial role in regulating medical practice in Maharashtra, including licensing, maintaining ethical standards, and adjudicating professional misconduct.
