Case Note & Summary
The High Court allowed two Writ Petitions filed by Petitioners challenging the Caste Scrutiny Committee's order that invalidated their Thakur Scheduled Tribe claim. The Petitioners had produced extensive documentary evidence, including school records from 1917 showing their grandfather's caste as Thakur, caste validity certificates for their brothers and cousin, and a vigilance report confirming the records. The Court found that the Committee ignored this evidence and failed to follow due process. Applying judicial review under Article 226, the Court quashed the impugned order, declared the Petitioners as belonging to Thakur Scheduled Tribe, and directed the respondents not to take coercive action. The judgment emphasizes the importance of considering all relevant documents and precedents in caste claim cases.
Headnote
The High Court of Judicature at Bombay, in its Civil Appellate Jurisdiction, heard two Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India -- The Petitioners challenged the decision dated 4th May 2019 of the Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nashik Division -- The Committee had invalidated the Petitioners' claims as belonging to 'Thakur - Scheduled Tribe' -- The Petitioners sought quashing of the impugned order, declaration of their tribe status, and interim reliefs -- The Court examined documentary evidence including school records from 1917, caste validity certificates of relatives, and vigilance reports -- The Court held that the Committee failed to consider material evidence and violated principles of natural justice -- The impugned order was quashed, and the Petitioners' Thakur Scheduled Tribe claim was validated
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Issue of Consideration: The Issue of whether the Caste Scrutiny Committee's order invalidating the Petitioners' Thakur Scheduled Tribe claim was legally sustainable
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Final Decision
The High Court allowed the Writ Petitions, quashed the impugned order dated 4th May 2019, declared the Petitioners as belonging to Thakur Scheduled Tribe, and directed respondents not to take coercive action
2026 LawText (BOM) (02) 88
Writ Petition No. 6498 of 2019 with Interim Application No. 9318 of 2025, Writ Petition No. 6499 of 2019
G. S. Kulkarni J. , Aarti Sathe J.
Mr. Sahil Chaudhari i/b. Mr. Sushant C. Yeramwar, Mrs. Savita A. Prabhune
Avinash s/o. Bharat Ahire, Tushar s/o. Bharat Ahire
The State of Maharashtra, The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nashik Division, Nashik, The Special Sales Tax Commissioner, Maharashtra State, The Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner (Estt)-4 Maharashtra State, The Chief Manager (P & A) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Aircraft Division, Nashik
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Nature of Litigation: Writ Petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging administrative order
Remedy Sought
Petitioners sought quashing of Caste Scrutiny Committee order, declaration of Thakur Scheduled Tribe status, and interim relief against coercive action
Filing Reason
The Caste Scrutiny Committee invalidated Petitioners' Thakur Scheduled Tribe claim, affecting Avinash's appointment as Sales Tax Inspector on a reserved post
Previous Decisions
Sub-Divisional Officer issued Caste Certificate; Caste Scrutiny Committee passed impugned order on 4th May 2019 invalidating the claim
Issues
Whether the Caste Scrutiny Committee's order invalidating the Petitioners' Thakur Scheduled Tribe claim was legally valid and based on proper consideration of evidence
Submissions/Arguments
Petitioners argued extensive documentary evidence supported their claim, including school records from 1917 and caste validity certificates of relatives
Respondents likely defended the Committee's decision, but specific arguments not detailed in provided text
Ratio Decidendi
Administrative bodies like Caste Scrutiny Committees must consider all relevant documentary evidence and follow principles of natural justice; failure to do so renders their decisions liable to be quashed under Article 226
Judgment Excerpts
These two Petitions are filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the decision dated 4th May 2019
By the impugned order passed by the Scrutiny Committee, the Tribe claims of the Petitioners as belonging to 'Thakur – Scheduled Tribe' have been invalidated
The Vigilance Officer visited the Petitioner’s school and personally verified the school records
Procedural History
Sub-Divisional Officer issued Caste Certificate; Petitioners submitted Tribe Claim on 10th November 2005; Vigilance Inquiry conducted on 23rd April 2010; Scrutiny Committee passed impugned order on 4th May 2019; Writ Petitions filed in 2019; Reserved on 03 February 2026; Pronounced on 20 February 2026
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