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Bombay High Court

UTTAM TRIMBAK SABLE AND OTHERSversusTHE SCHEDULED TRIBES CERTIFICATE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE, AURANGABAD AND OTHERS

Disposal
DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The petitioners are not successors‑in‑interest and lack locus standi; the Scrutiny Committee’s order stands and the writ petition is dismissed.

Summary

The petitioners, brothers of the deceased Tarabai, filed a writ petition challenging the Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee’s order of 17 March 2012 that invalidated Tarabai’s tribe status. They claimed to be successors‑in‑interest under a will bequeathing her land and argued that the Committee ignored a 1946 court document and affidavits supporting her tribal claim. The respondents contended that the petitioners lacked locus standi because the land originally belonged to Tarabai’s husband, whose tribal status had been held invalid in 1985, and that the will was unproven. The Court examined the definitions in the Maharashtra Restoration of Lands to Scheduled Tribes Act, the Hindu Succession Act, and relevant case law on succession and tribal status. It concluded that the petitioners are not entitled to claim succession rights and that the Committee’s findings were not perverse or illegal. Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed.

Issues considered

  • Whether the petitioners have locus standi as successors‑in‑interest to challenge the invalidation of Tarabai’s Scheduled Tribe certificate.
  • Whether the deceased Tarabai’s tribal status can be re‑examined after her death.
  • Whether the documents produced (1946 complaint, affidavits) establish genuine tribal affiliation.
  • Whether the alleged will bequeathing the land to the petitioners is valid under the Restoration Act.
  • Whether the Scrutiny Committee’s order invalidating the tribe certificate is legally sound.

Legislation cited

Subjects

  • Scheduled Tribe
  • Land restoration
  • Succession
  • Caste certificate
  • Locus standi
  • Will
  • Tribal status
  • Property dispute

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:42570-DB




                                               (1)                 wp3206.13


                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                               BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                            WRIT PETITION NO. 3206 OF 2013

           1.    Uttam s/o. Trimbak Sable,                    ..   Petitioners
                 Since deceased through legal representative,

                 1-A) Sanjay Uttam Sable,
                      Age. 52 years, Occ. Private Service,
                      R/o. Dak Pimpalgaon, Taluka Vaijapur,
                      District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

           2.    Gitaram s/o. Trimbak Sable,
                 Since deceased through legal representative,

                 2-A) Raju Gitaram Sable,
                      Age. 53 years, Occ. Service,
                      R/o. House No. 70, Chawal No. 9,
                      New Hudco, Pipeline Road, Ahmednagar.
                      Ahmednagar.

           3.    Astik Sitaram Sable
                 Since deceased through legal representative,

                 3-A) Ganesh Astik Sable
                      Age. 34 years, Occ. Service,
                      R/o. Biregaon Road, Kalika Nagar,
                      At Post Shirdi, Tq. Rahta,
                      Dist. Ahmednagar.

           4.    Dattu Kacharu Taru,
                 Age. 45 years, Occ. Labour,
                 R/o. Shirdi, Taluka Rahata,
                 Dist. Ahmednagar.

                 All petitioners
                 Through Special Power of Attorney Holder
                 Shri Rajendra Harishchandra Sawant,
                 Age. 59 years, Occ. Business,
                 R/o. C/o. Gitaram Trimbak Sable,
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     House No. E-70, Navin Hudco,
     Pipeline Road, Savedi,
     Ahmednagar.
                             VERSUS

1.   The Scheduled Tribes Certificate Scrutiny     ..   Respondents
     Committee, Aurangabad Division,
     Aurangabad,
     Through its Member Secretary.

2.   Prakash Jayram Shelke,
     Age. 43 years, Occ. Business,
     R/o. Swapnil Lodge, Pimpalwadi Road,
     Shirdi, Tal. Rahta, Dist. Ahmednagar.

3.   Sampat Nivrutti Gondkar,
     Died through LRs.

     3A.    Padmawati Sampat Gondkar
           Age. 74 years, Occ. Nil,

     3B.   Mahendra Sampat Gondkar
           Age. 56 years,

     3C.   Umesh Sampat Gondkar

           3C-1 Alka Umesh Gondkar
                Age. 46 years, Occ. Household,

           3C-2 Akshay Umesh Gondkar
                Age. 27 years, Occ. Agri.,

           3C-3 Gauri Umesh Gondkar,
                Age. 23 years, Occ. Education

     3D.   Ramesh Sampat Gondkar,
           Age. 54 years, Occ.Agri

           All are R/o. Pimpalwadi Road,
           Shirdi, Tq. Rahta, Dist. Ahilyanagar.
                                   (3)                     wp3206.13


      3E.    Achrana Mukund More,
             Age. 52 years, Occ.Agri.,
             R/o. Kokangaon, Post. Shirasgaon,
             Tq. Niphad, Dist. Nashik.


Mr. Mahesh Deshmukh h/f. Mr. D.S. Patil, Advocate for the petitioners.
Mr. A.R. Kale, AGP for respondent No.1.
Mr. V.D. Hon, Sr. Advocate i/b. Mr. A.V. Hon, Advocate for respondent
No.2.
Mr. V.D. Sapkal, Sr. Advocate i/b. Mr. Yuvraj S. Choudhari, Advocate for
respondent No.3.


                     CORAM         : KISHORE C. SANT &
                                     AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, JJ.
                     RESERVED ON   : 23.07.2026
                     PRONOUNCED ON : 16.09.2026


JUDGMENT : [PER : KISHORE C. SANT,J.] :-


01.          Heard learned Advocate Mr. Mahesh Deshmukh h/f. Mr. D.S.

Patil for the petitioners, Mr. A.R. Kale, learned AGP for respondent No.1,

Mr. V.D. Hon, learned Sr. Advocate i/b. Mr. A.V. Hon, Advocate for

respondent No.2 and Mr. V.D. Sapkal, learned Sr. Advocate i/b. Mr. Y.S.

Choudhari, Advocate for respondent No.3.



02.          Petitioners, claiming to be successors of one deceased

Tarabai,    have   approached this Court challenging an order dated

17.03.2012 invalidating tribe claim of deceased Tarabai by respondent
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No.1 – Scrutiny Committee, holding that she failed to prove her tribe

status as belonging to Mahadeo Koli (29).



03.         At the very outset, the respondents raised an objection as

regards locus standi of the petitioners to file this petition. The objection

is that the petitioners have no interest in the caste status of the

deceased Tarabai.



04.         It is a case of the petitioners that deceased Tarabai had

executed a will in respect of her properties in favour of the petitioners.

Since she happened to be a person belonging to Scheduled Tribe, she

had filed proceeding for getting back possession of her land under the

Maharashtra Restoration of Lands to Scheduled Tribes Act, 1974 and it is

for that reason they have every locus to file this petition.      This Court

would deal with the objection at a later stage.



05.         Brief facts giving rise to the petition are as under :-

.           Deceased Tarabai and her husband were having land Survey

No. 48/2 and Survey No. 17 at Shirdi, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar.

The property was said to have been wrongly transferred in favour of the

respondents.   The property from Survey No. 48/2 was transferred to
                                         (5)                     wp3206.13


respondent No.2 and property from land Survey No. 17 was transferred

to respondent No.3.       It was case of husband of Tarabai that since he

belonged to Mahadeo Koli, a scheduled tribe, the transfer was invalid and

sought possession from respondent Nos.2 & 3.           The deceased had filed a

proceeding under the Maharashtra Restoration of Lands to Scheduled

Tribe Persons Act. Said proceeding was carried till the High Court by way

of Writ Petition No.     4614 of 2009. Said proceeding attained finality in

this Court in judgment dated 01.02.1985. It is held that the deceased

husband does not belong to scheduled tribe.



06.            It is, thereafter, Tarabai again got issued a certificate as

belonging to Mahadeo Koli. Respondent Nos. 2 and 3, thereafter filed

complaint      before   the   Scrutiny   Committee     to   invalidate   Tarabai’s

certificate.



07.            In the proceeding, Tarabai produced document i.e. one

complaint registered in 1356 Fasli i.e. year 1946 in the Court of JMFC,

Udgir, wherein complaint was filed against paternal grandfather of

Tarabai, namely, Bhagwanta Sable.              In the said complaint, caste of

Bhagwanta Sable is shown as Mahadeo Koli. It is on that basis Tahsildar,

Vaijapur issued certificate in favour of Tarabai on 28.06.1995.
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08.        Since   Tarabai   started    claiming   status   as   belonging   to

Scheduled Tribe, respondent No.2 lodged a formal complaint before the

Scrutiny Committee. It is, thereafter, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Vaijapur

again issued Tribe Certificate to deceased Tarabai. However, as she failed

to prove her tribe status, the Scrutiny Committee invalidated her claim

by order dated 10.02.2009. Said order was challenged in this Court by

way of Writ Petition No.4614 of 2009.



09.        This Court partly allowed the writ petition and directed

remand of the matter to the Scrutiny Committee for fresh adjudication.



10.        After remand, Tarabai produced certificate of two nephews,

namely, Nalesh Sable and Sanjay Sable, real brothers and their sister

Nalini Sable.   In the enquiry, the Committee called for original record

from the Court of JMFC, Udgir.         On refusal to send the record, the

Investigating Officer was sent by the Scrutiny Committee to the Court of

JMFC, Udgir for verification of the record. The record revealed that the

caste entry in the name of Bhagwanta was manipulated. The words are

in two different inks and there was variation in hand-writing.         It is on

that, the Scrutiny Committee again invalidated claim of deceased Tarabai

on 17.03.2012.
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11.         Soon, thereafter Tarabai died on 03.04.2012. The restoration

proceeding was pending before Tahsildar, Rahta. On above happenings,

on 09.04.2012, the Tahsildar dismissed the restoration proceeding

bearing Tribe Case No. 1/11 in respect of Survey No. 48/2 in view of

invalidation of the claim.



12.         Now, the petition is filed by the petitioners claiming to be

successors of Tarabai.       It is claimed that they are related to the

deceased. They also claim that the deceased had executed a will in their

favour bequeathing property standing in her name. This petition is filed

through special power of attorney holder Mr. Rajendra Savant.



13.         Learned Advocate Mr. Deshmukh for the petitioners on these

facts vehemently argued that the learned Members of the Committee

failed to appreciate the record from the Court of learned JMFC. It is of

1356 Fasli i.e. year 1946. The said document has high probative value.

The   Scrutiny   Committee    discarded   the   document   only   on   visual

observations as regards ink and font variation by the vigilant team.

There is no finding recorded by any of the Courts that the document is

forged or fabricated. The Scrutiny Committee also failed to consider the

validity granted to two nephews and one niece of deceased Tarabai. It is
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settled position of law that when there is validity in the blood relation,

such validity would weigh in favour of a person seeking validity. The

Scrutiny Committee further committed wrong by placing reliance on the

so called affidavit of Tarabai, in which she had stated that she does not

belong to Mahadeo Koli but belongs to Hindu Koli.               The Scrutiny

Committee, however, failed to consider further affidavit of Tarabai and

her caretaker one Ayyappa Pillai, wherein it was explained that earlier

affidavit was taken under force. There is no contradictory entries found

against the deceased.



14.         So far as locus standi, learned Advocate for the petitioners

submits that the petitioners are “successors-in-interest” as per definition

2(h), “tribal” as per definition 2(j) and “tribal-transferor” as per definition

2(k) of the Maharashtra Restoration of Lands to Scheduled Tribes Act,

1974.



15.         In support of his submission, learned Advocate for the

petitioners relied upon following judgments :-

             (i)     Maharashtra Adiwasi Thakur Samaj Swarakshan Samiti Vs.
                     State of Maharashtra & Ors., 2023(3) Bom. C.R. 118.
             (ii)    Balwant s/o. Vithal Jalgaonkar Vs. State of Maharashtra &
                     Ors., 2004(3) Mah.L.J. 687.
             (iii)   Ayaaubkhan Noorkhan Pathan Vs. State of Maharashtra &
                     Ors., (2013) 4 SCC 465.
                                         (9)                wp3206.13

             (iv)   Amarnath s/o. Madanlal Thakur Vs. The Scheduled Tribe
                    Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nandurbar & Anr. (WP
                    9625/2019) (Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench).



16.         During the course of arguments, he also pointed out a

Government Resolution dated 29.10.1980, establishing a Committee for

verification of tribe status.     He submits that when the finding was

recorded in the year 1985 by this Court against husband of Tarabai, it

was without any jurisdiction as by that time the Committee was

established to look into caste/tribe claims of the persons claiming

caste/tribe status.



17.         Learned Senior Advocate Mr. Sapkal for respondent No.3

vehemently argued that the petitioners are brothers of deceased Tarabai.

They cannot be said to be successors. After death of Tarabai, property

would go to the persons from the relation of her deceased husband and

not to her relatives.   He relies upon section 15(2) of the Succession Act.

He submits that when the property is admittedly of the husband, it is rule

of succession, applicable to the husband would apply.     The so called will

is filed first time before this Court.



18.         He further submits that the respondents are already declared

as owner of the land purchased by them in the lifetime of deceased
                                       ( 10 )                wp3206.13


Deoram.      Though Deoram had initiated restoration proceeding, it

attained finality in the year 1985, wherein this Court held that Deoram

does not belong to Scheduled Tribe. This chapter is thus, closed by the

said judgment.        Till today, the judgment of the High Court of the year

1985 is not challenged. There was no question of Tarabai thereafter

obtaining certificate as belonging to Scheduled Tribe. Deceased Tarabai

herself had clearly stated that she does not belong to Scheduled Tribe by

making affidavit that was considered in the judgment. Though it is

objected by learned Advocate Mr. Deshmukh, the so called document is

not before this Court. He submits that Tarabai had already obtained one

certificate in 1995 by Tahsildar and thereafter in 2008 from the Sub-

Divisional Officer.



19.         In the earlier writ petition, the order was set aside with

direction to decide caste claim afresh. Since deceased Tarabai is dead,

she cannot be now examined. The question of disputed fact about her

affidavit cannot be resolved and this Court cannot go into said issue. He

further made submission that during pendency, two Civil Applications

were filed in this Court; one for fixing early date of hearing bearing CA

No. 9264 of 2006, even when the petitioner was no more. Another CA

No. 1707 of 2025 was filed for bringing legal representatives on record.
                                    ( 11 )                   wp3206.13


Again it was filed when three of the petitioners were dead.              Said

application is not filed by legal representatives. No affidavit is filed that

they have given power of attorney to continue with the petition.          His

submission is that today, the power of attorney holder cannot prosecute

the petition. The will is not attested and it is doubtful document. Unless

the will is proved, the petitioners cannot claim any right as successors.

He expressed doubt about the power of attorney as well, which is of

01.04.2013. In the power of attorney, there is no reference of so called

will. For this reason the power of attorney holder has no power to file a

writ petition. He thus submits that filing of the writ petition is clearly an

abuse of process of law.



20.         Affidavit in rejoinder is filed on 22.01.2023 by power of

attorney holder.    He again harps upon affidavit executed by Tarabai

stating that she does not belong to Mahadeo Koli. The petition deserves

to be dismissed with costs.



21.         Learned Sr. Advocate Mr. Hon submits that respondent No.2

had purchased land Survey No. 48/2 from Tarabai in 2007. After transfer

of the property, sale deed is not challenged till now. The petitioners only

due to lust of the property are prosecuting this petition. After death of
                                    ( 12 )                    wp3206.13


Tarabai, there is no requirement of validity certificate in her name.

Tarabai twice lost her claim before the Scrutiny Committee. Nothing new

is now produced in respect of claim of the petitioners.       He relies upon

judgments in the cases of Bhagat Ram (By LRs.) Vs. Teja Singh (By

Lrs.)   2002    (1)   SCC   210    and       V.   Dandapani   Chettiar    Vs.

Balasubramanian Chettiar (dead) by LRs. & Anr. (2003) 6 SCC

633.



22.         Learned AGP Mr. Kale supports the impugned order.             He

submits that Nalesh himself has filed an affidavit. He invited attention to

the genealogy of Bhausaheb and his certificate.        He thus submits that

there is no case made out to allow this petition.      He submits that this

Court has already held that when there is forgery or fabrication in

documents, such document cannot be considered to prove caste status.

He thus prays for rejection of the petition.



23.         In rejoinder, learned Advocate Mr. Deshmukh submits that in

the power of attorney, there is no need to state everything. He submits

that assuming that caste status is not proved, under the Restoration Act,

there is no obligation to get caste status validated.      He submits that

Tarabai had a right to bequeath property to the petitioners.        There is
                                    ( 13 )                 wp3206.13


nothing to indicate that said will is illegal or cannot be acted upon. He

maintains that the petitioners have every locus standi.



24.         On the basis of the rival pleadings and the arguments, we

proceed to deal with the matter. First we will have to see as to whether

the petitioners have any locus to file the petition.   Section 2(h) of the

Restoration Act reads as under :-

            2(h) “Successor-in-interest” means a person who acquires
            interest in land by testamentary disposition or devolution on
            death;

.           In the present case, admittedly land is received by Tarabai

from her husband.      Present petitioners are related to Tarabai as her

brothers. It is rightly submitted by learned Advocate for the respondent

that when the land is received from deceased husband, after death of

Tarabai, the land will devolve upon successor of deceased Deoram and in

no case that would devolve upon the petitioners.

.           Section 2(j) reads as under :-

            2(j) “Tribal” means a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe
            within the meaning of the Explanation to section 36 of the
            Code, and includes his successor-in-interest;

.           Thus, when a person can be said to be tribal, one has to

consider section 36 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, and there is

clearly a bar of said section.
                                     ( 14 )                   wp3206.13


25.         In the case of Maharashtra Adiwasi (supra), the issue was

referred to Larger Bench. In view of decision of Full Bench of the High

Court in the case of Shilpa Vishnu Thakur Vs. State of Maharashtra,

2009(3) Bom.C.R.497, where procedural aspects were laid down by

the Hon’ble Supreme Court to be followed by the Committees. It was

held in that affinity test is integral test for determination of the caste

claim. Whereas in the case of Vijaykumar Vs. State of Maharashtra,

(2010) 14 SCC 489 and in the case of Anand Vs. Committee for

Scrutiny.. 2011(6) Bom.C.R. 752, it was held that even if candidate

fails in affinity test at any stage, said cannot be only criteria for deciding

caste claim based on caste certificate issued by competent authority.

The Hon’ble Apex Court ultimately held that Scrutiny Committee has to

ascertain whether the certificate is genuine.



26.         The second aspect that was considered as to whether the

applicant has established that the person to whom, validity certificate

relied upon by him, has been issued is a blood relative. It was held that

for that purpose, the applicant has to establish the precise and exact

relationship with the person to whom validity certificate is granted.

Considering the above, it was held that the affinity test is not sole criteria

to decide the caste claim. The Scrutiny Committee has to see that the
                                    ( 15 )                   wp3206.13


caste validity certificate relied upon is issued after making lawful enquiry.

In case of doubt the Scrutiny Committee has to refer the case for

conducing enquiry through vigilance cell.      Such enquiry is limited to

examine relationship claimed by the applicant with such person.          It is

further held that if it is established that father or grand father of the

applicant has been given a caste validity certificate after holding lawful

enquiry in accordance with law, in such cases it is not open for the

Scrutiny Committee to hold grand father or father of the applicant

belonging to Scheduled Tribe but the applicant does not belong to

Scheduled Tribe. Only if relationship is not established, other evidence

produced by the applicant and the result of the affinity test can be taken

into consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.



27.         In the case of Balwant Jalgaonkar (supra), this Court has

held that judgment of Dharmendra Deoram Patil Vs. Scheduled

Tribes Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, 2004 (1) All MR 512,

is not a good law as it was found to be not in tune with the judgment of

Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Kum. Madhuri Patil Vs. Addl.

Commissioner.. AIR 1995 SC 94. This Court took a view that the

order passed in favour of near blood relation by the Competent Authority,

which has attained finality cannot be brushed aside lightly but the same
                                   ( 16 )                  wp3206.13


will have to be considered as a piece of evidence.



28.        Third judgment is of Ayaaubkhan Pathan (supra). It is on

the point of locus standi of a person in objecting caste status of the

person. It is held that aggrieved person is one whose right is affected or

jeopardised, has a locus standi to object caste status.    Otherwise, he

does not have any right to challenge locus or status of the person, who

claims caste status. The person who raises grievance must show that he

has suffered legal injury. In the case of Amarnath (supra), this Court

considered as to who can be said to be successor.


29.        In the present case, since respondent Nos. 2 and 3 were

already before the Scrutiny Committee, who have successfully shown

that if caste status of deceased Tarabai is proved that will affect their

right being vendee/transferee of the lands.    This Court thus holds that

they have locus standi.



30.        Respondent No.2 relied upon judgment in the case of

Bhagatram [supra]. It was held in the said judgment that when a

person receives property from father or mother, in absence of any son or

daughter of such person, it would only devolve on heirs of father or

mother and not on any other person. It is only in absence of such heirs,
                                     ( 17 )                      wp3206.13


it would go to some other heirs. The Court considered judgment in the

case of Bajaya Vs. Gopikabai, 1978(2)SCC 542. It is held that when

family receives property from the husband, said property would devolve

upon heirs of the husband, in case wife dies issueless and intestate. This

judgment is thus squarely applicable to the present facts.



31.         In the case of V. Dandapani Chettiar (supra) also,               the

Hon’ble Apex Court considered section 15 of the Hindu Succession Act. It

is held that if the family receives property from the husband, who dies

issueless, the property would devolve upon his heirs. In the present case

the present petitioners have claimed their right being successors in

interest and secondly on the strength of will deed.



32.         So far as judgment of this Court in the case of Sandesh

Thakaji Sable Vs. The State of Maharashtra (WP No.12152 of

2025 – Aurangabad Bench) is concerned, it is seen that the Court has

taken the manipulation, forgery and fabrication in the entry to be

sufficient to disentitle a person to claim tribe/caste status.



33.         Now, looking to the facts of present case, it is accepted fact

that the deceased Tarabai received property from her husband Deoram,
                                   ( 18 )                  wp3206.13


who died on 31.03.1995. Deceased Tarabai bequeathed land by will in

favour of petitioner. They can be said to be successors in the interest in

view of section 2(h) of the Restoration of Land Act.     It is, however, a

matter of record that in the year 1985 itself, this Court had held in the

proceeding arising under the Restoration of Land Act initiated by

deceased Deoram that Deoram failed to prove his tribe status. So far as

caste status of Tarabai is concerned, her claim was invalidated by the

Committee in the year 2009.      In said case, the caste certificate was

issued by the Tahsildar, Vaijapur dated 28.06.1995.        Another caste

certificate was issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Vaijapur dated

15.12.2008 and these both were considered in the said complaint lodged

by respondent No.2.    The same was set aside by this Court and the

matter was remanded and it is thereafter fresh enquiry is held. There is

already affidavit executed by the deceased clearly stating that she did

not belong to Scheduled Caste and belonging to only Hindu Koli.        This

affidavit was filed before the Tahsildar, Rahta.     This was specifically

executed when she wanted to dispose off the properties. The affidavit is

dated 16.02.2000, which now cannot be gone into as rightly submitted

by learned Sr. Advocate Mr. Sapkal.         Though now it is disputed by

another affidavit by one Sawant, however still fact remains that now

deceased Tarabai cannot be examined.        There is no any other way to
                                    ( 19 )                  wp3206.13


ascertain as to which of the affidavits is voluntarily executed. Secondly,

Court cannot believe a person who states contrary things on affidavit at

different points of time.     In any case, this Court cannot go into the

disputed questions of fact.



34.        We have gone through the original file, vigilance cell report

and also gone through the file of Sandesh Sabale and Nalesh Sabale.



35.        So far as judgment dated 01.02.1985 in Writ Petition         No.

3189/1983 is concerned, there is clear finding recorded that brother

Dhondiram and mother Nanibai of deceased Deoram were only Koli and

not Mahadeo Koli.    In the said petition present respondent No.3 now

deceased represented by legal heirs, was a party. Said proceeding was

arising out of the restoration proceeding only.      So once restoration

proceeding has attained finality and status of deceased Deoram is

recorded as not tribal, now it is not open for the parties to go back and

again agitate claim as belonging to Scheduled Tribe. It is a matter of fact

that the judgment in Writ Petition No. 3189 of 1983 is intact.       Thus,

there is no question of Tarabai thereafter obtaining certificate from

Tahsildar in 1995 and from the Sub-Divisional Officer in the year 2008.

So far as power of attorney is concerned, this Court need not go into that
                                   ( 20 )                    wp3206.13


aspect. Main question is about caste status of deceased Tarabai.



36.        As regards to the document relied upon by deceased Tarabai

i.e. from the Court of JMFC, this Court finds that there is no substance in

the argument of learned Advocate Mr. Deshmukh.            It is seen that

Vigilance Cell Officer had been to the Court of learned JMFC. From there

they observed that the record is manipulated. The submission that first

it will have to be proved as forged and fabricated document cannot be

accepted. It is not for this Court or for the Authority to prove forgery or

fabrication like in criminal proceeding.    It is only to ascertain as to

whether the document is original and genuine for the purpose of

ascertaining caste status.



37.        On the issue of the locus standi of the petitioners, it needs to

be seen as to whether will is proved. It is not a case of the petitioners

that they have obtained probate or heirship certificate being legatees of

deceased Tarabai.   Secondly, looking to the relation with Tarabai, it is

clear that the property was received by her from her husband.            Even

otherwise, this Court cannot go into the question of deciding as to

whether the petitioners are entitled on the basis of will.    It is only the

Civil Court, where will needs to be proved and to obtain probate. There
                                     ( 21 )                  wp3206.13


is thus no question of the petitioners being entitled to get said property.

Thus, on both counts, petitioners cannot be said to be successors.



38.           This Court does not find any perversity or illegality in the

judgment of the committee. No case is made out calling for interference

at the hands of this Court.



39.           This writ petition stands dismissed. Rule discharged.




[AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J.]                        [KISHORE C. SANT, J.]


snk/2026/Aug26/wp3206.13


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