Bombay High Court

PRAGATI VISHWAS KSHIRSAGARversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHER

Disposal: DISPOSED OFF
Bench: SANDIPKUMAR C MORE ABASAHEB D SHINDE

Holding

The Court directed the Scrutiny Committee to decide the petitioner’s tribe claim by the end of May 2026.

Summary

The petitioner, Pragati Vishwas Kshirsagar, filed a writ petition seeking an expeditious decision on his claim of belonging to the ‘Koli Mahadev’ Scheduled Tribe, a claim pending since December 2024. He required the tribe validity certificate to pursue higher studies. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the vigilance cell report had already been filed with the Scrutiny Committee and the petitioner was ready to file a reply. The Court, noting the undue delay and the petitioner’s need, directed the Scrutiny Committee to decide the tribe claim as soon as possible, preferably by the end of May 2026. With these directions, the Court disposed of the writ petition.

Issues considered

Whether the Court can direct the Scrutiny Committee to decide a pending tribe claim within a specified time frame
Whether the petitioner is entitled to an expeditious disposal of his Scheduled Tribe claim for the purpose of higher studies

Subjects

Scheduled Tribe
tribe claim
writ petition
expeditious disposal
Scrutiny Committee
higher studies

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:4596-DB
                                                   1                          20.doc



                       IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                BENCH AT AURANGABAD
                        20 WRIT PETITION NO. 1155 OF 2026

                      PRAGATI VISHWAS KSHIRSAGAR
                                 VERSUS
     THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHER
                                            ...

                  Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Karande Mahesh B
                   AGP/APP for Respondent/State : Mr. V.M. Jaware
                                           …
                                         CORAM         :   SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE AND
                                                           ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
                                           DATE        : 02.02.2026

             PER COURT :
             .     Heard.

             2.    By this Writ Petition, the petitioner is seeking expeditious
             disposal of his tribe claim of belonging to ‘Koli Mahadev’ Scheduled
             Tribe which is pending since 16.12.2024.

             3.    Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the vigilance cell
             report has already been submitted to the Scrutiny Committee and the
             petitioner is willing to file reply to the same.

             4.    Considering the fact that tribe claim is pending since December
             2024 and the petitioner needs the tribe validity certificate for
             prosecuting    higher   studies,     we   direct   the   respondent/Scrutiny
             Committee to decide the tribe claim of the petitioner as expeditiously
             as possible and preferably by the end of May 2026.
                                     2                         20.doc



5.      With these directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.




( ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J. )                ( SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE, J. )



vsj..

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