Bombay High Court
ANWESH YOGESH LONDHEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROU. THE SEC. TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT DEPT AND ANR
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The Court directed the Scrutiny Committee to pass a final order on the petitioner’s caste validity claim within 90 days, without expressing an opinion on the merits.
Summary
The petitioner, a student belonging to the Thakkar Scheduled Tribe, filed a writ petition alleging that his Caste Validity Certificate remains pending before the Scrutiny Committee (Respondent No.2), causing prejudice. He contended that while relatives had been granted caste validity, his own claim had not been adjudicated. The respondents argued that a court direction would compel the committee to expedite the decision within a specified period. The Court, without adjudicating the merits, ordered Respondent No.2 to pass a final order on the petitioner’s caste validity claim within 90 days of receiving the certified copy of the order, ensuring a hearing opportunity. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of.
Issues considered
- Whether the delay by the Scrutiny Committee in granting the petitioner’s Caste Validity Certificate warrants judicial intervention.
Subjects
- Scheduled Tribe
- Caste Validity Certificate
- Writ Petition
- Administrative Delay
- Scrutiny Committee
- High Court
Judgment
25-WP-2644-2026.DOC
Rekha Patil
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 2644 OF 2026
Anwesh Yogesh Londhe …Petitioner
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Anr. …Respondents
Mr. R. K. Mendadkar, for the Petitioner.
Ms. Apurva P. Thipsay, ‘B’ Panel, for the Respondents-State.
CORAM: SUMAN SHYAM &
SHYAM C. CHANDAK, JJ.
DATED: 4th MARCH, 2026.
PC:-
1. Heard Mr. Mendadkar, learned Counsel appearing for the
Petitioner. Also heard Ms. Thipsay, learned AGP, appearing for the
Respondent-State.
2. The Petitioner, who is a student, belongs to “Thakkar” Tribe,
which is a recognized as Scheduled Tribe in the State of
Maharashtra. His primary grievance is to the effect that the Caste
Validity Certificate of the Petitioner is pending before the Scrutiny
Committee, i.e., the Respondent No.2 till today, as a result of
which the Petitioner has suffered serious prejudice.
3. Mr. Mendadkar, learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner,
submits that although, Caste Validity has already been granted to
REKHA the near relatives and blood relations of the Petitioner, including
PRAKASH
PATIL
Digitally signed
by REKHA
PRAKASH PATIL Page 1 of 2
Date: 2026.03.04
16:09:57 +0530
25-WP-2644-2026.DOC
his father and other relatives from the paternal side, the
Respondent No.2 has not passed any order on the Caste Validity
Claim of the Petitioner. Hence, this Writ Petition.
4. Ms. Thipsay, learned ‘B’ Panel Advocate, appearing for the
Respondents submits that if a direction is issued by this Court, the
Respondent No.2 will expedite the matter and pass a final order on
the Caste Claim of the Petitioner, in accordance with law, within a
specified time.
5. In view of the above submission made by the learned
Counsel for the Respondents and considering the limited nature of
nature of grievance made in the Writ Petition, with consent of both
the sides and without expressing any opinion on the merit of the
claim, we dispose of the Writ Petition by providing that a final
order be passed by the Respondent No.2 in the Caste Validity Claim
of the Petitioner within 90 days from the date of receipt of certified
copy and/or authenticate copy of this order. The Respondent No. 2
to pass order in accordance with law and after giving an
opportunity of being heard to the Petitioner.
6. Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly.
(SHYAM C. CHANDAK, J.) (SUMAN SHYAM, J.)
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