Bombay High Court
VILAS KASHINATH LANDGEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
No action may be taken against the petitioners solely on the ground of invalidation of their tribe claims during the pendency of the appeal and for 30 days thereafter, and the Committee must note the amended provision.
Summary
Petitioners Vaishali K. Kadam and Vilas K. Landge filed writ petitions seeking a direction to the Divisional Commissioner, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to register their appeals against orders that invalidated their tribe claims. The State of Maharashtra opposed the relief. The petitioners relied on a newly inserted Section 6(b) of the relevant statute, which provides a 90‑day protection period for a person whose claim is invalidated and an additional 30‑day period after the appeal is decided. The Court held that no punitive action could be taken against the petitioners solely on the basis of the invalidation while the appeal is pending and for 30 days thereafter, and directed the Committee to note the amended provision. The petitioners were also barred from claiming any benefits meant for scheduled tribe members until finality of the proceedings. The writ petitions were consequently disposed of.
Issues considered
- What relief can be granted to petitioners regarding registration of appeals against the invalidation of their tribe claims?
- Does Section 6(b) of the applicable statute bar any action against petitioners during the pendency of the appeal and for 30 days thereafter?
Legislation cited
- Statute (unspecified) — s. 6(b)
Subjects
- tribe claim
- writ petition
- Section 6(b)
- appeal registration
- scheduled tribe
- invalidated claim
- protective period
Judgment
2026:BHC-AUG:42256-DB
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
WRIT PETITION NO. 11905 OF 2026
Vaishali Keshav Kadam .. Petitioner
Versus
The State Of Maharashtra
Through Its Principal Secretary And Others .. Respondents
AND
WRIT PETITION NO. 11945 OF 2026
Vilas Kashinath Landge .. Petitioner
Versus
The State Of Maharashtra
Through Its Principal Secretary And Others .. Respondents
Mr. S. M. Vibhute, Advocate h/f Mr. Sushant C. Yeramwar,
Advocate for Petitioners.
Mr. N. S. Takale & Mr. S. B. Pulkundwar, AGP’s for Respondents-
State in respective matters.
CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT AND
JITENDRA JAIN, JJ.
DATE : 11th SEPTEMBER, 2026.
PER COURT :-
1. The prayer in these petitions is only to direct respondent
No. 3 i.e. Divisional Commissioner, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to
register the appeals of the petitioners challenging the orders of the
invalidation of their tribe claims.
2. Learned AGP submits that now the Commissioner is
2 8-wp 11905-2026+.odt
registering the appeals.
3. The only grievance of the petitioners is that by way of
impugned orders, the Committee has directed the authorities to
take appropriate action against the petitioners.
4. Learned advocate for the petitioners invites attention to
section 6(b), which is inserted in statute book giving protection of
90 days to a person whose claim is invalidated and also further 30
days after the appeal is decided.
5. In view of above, no action be taken against the petitioners
solely on the ground of invalidation of their tribe claims for a
period of pendency the appeals and for 30 days thereafter. The
Committee is also to take note of the amended provision and shall
put the note accordingly.
6. It is made clear that the petitioners also will not take any
benefit of persons belonging to scheduled tribe till the proceedings
attain finality.
7. With this, the writ petitions are disposed of.
( JITENDRA JAIN, J.) ( KISHORE C. SANT, J. )
P.S.B.
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