Jurisdictional challenge upheld: Writ petition not maintainable in Bombay High Court.

The High Court upheld the jurisdictional challenge raised by the respondent, ruling that the writ petition was not maintainable in Bombay High Court due to the specific clause in the Federation's Bye-Laws. The Court directed the petitioner to pursue the matter in the courts at Chennai as per the legal provisions, while leaving the merits of the challenge open to be argued in the appropriate forum.

---

---

Issues:
1. Jurisdictional challenge regarding maintainability of the writ petition in Bombay High Court.

Analysis:
The writ petition was filed seeking direction to withdraw a Show Cause Notice and challenging certain Resolutions passed by the Central Council of a Federation. The main issue was the disaffiliation of the petitioner's Association by the Federation and the affiliation granted to another association. The respondent raised a preliminary objection on the maintainability of the writ petition in Bombay High Court based on Clause 21 of the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Federation. This clause stated that legal actions against the Federation should be instituted only in the courts at Chennai, where the Registered Office of the Federation is situated. The Court found substance in this objection, agreeing that the jurisdiction of other courts except Chennai was ousted in this matter.

The petitioner tried to rely on a judgment of the Apex Court, but the High Court distinguished it, stating that the jurisdiction of other courts was ousted due to the existence of Clause 21. The Court declined to entertain the writ petition on the ground of territorial jurisdiction but allowed the petitioner to invoke the jurisdiction of the courts at Chennai for the reliefs sought. The Court emphasized that the contentions of the parties on the merits of the challenge were kept open to be argued before the Appropriate Court. Ultimately, the petition was disposed of in accordance with the jurisdictional findings.

In conclusion, the High Court upheld the jurisdictional challenge raised by the respondent regarding the maintainability of the writ petition in Bombay High Court due to the specific clause in the Federation's Bye-Laws. The Court directed the petitioner to pursue the matter in the courts at Chennai as per the legal provisions, while leaving the merits of the challenge open to be argued in the appropriate forum.

---