Bombay High Court
RAMESHWAR SANJAY MANDEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR ITS SECRETARY AND ANOTHER
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
The Court directed the S.D.O. to either issue the caste certificates to the petitioners or reject the applications on merits within one week.
Summary
The petitioners, Laxman Sanjay Mande and Rameshwar Sanjay Mande, filed writ petitions before the Bombay High Court seeking issuance of a caste certificate that had not been granted by the competent Sub‑Divisional Officer (S.D.O.). Their applications had been pending since 21 April 2026, prompting the petitioners to approach the court. The respondents, the State of Maharashtra, contended that the matter was administrative and within the S.D.O.’s discretion. The Court examined whether the S.D.O. was required to act on the pending applications. It directed the S.D.O. to either issue the caste certificates or reject the applications on their merits within one week of the order. Consequently, the writ petitions were disposed of.
Issues considered
- Whether the Sub‑Divisional Officer should be directed to issue the pending caste certificates or reject the applications on merits?
Subjects
- caste certificate
- writ petition
- administrative law
- High Court
- S.D.O.
- non‑issuance
Judgment
2026:BHC-AUG:33763-DB
1 906-wp 9020-2026+sptm.odt
[This order is corrected pursuant to speaking to minutes of order dated 03.08.2026]
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
WRIT PETITION NO. 9020 OF 2026
Laxman Sanjay Mande .. Petitioner
Versus
The State Of Maharashtra
Through Its Secretary And Another .. Respondents
AND
WRIT PETITION NO. 9025 OF 2026
Rameshwar Sanjay Mande .. Petitioner
Versus
The State Of Maharashtra
Through Its Secretary And Another .. Respondents
Mr. Anil P. Piratwad, Advocate for Petitioners.
Mr. P. K. Lakhotiya & Mr. R. S. Wani, AGP’s for Respondents-State
in respective matters.
CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT AND
AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, JJ.
DATE : 31st JULY, 2026.
PER COURT :-
1. Heard learned advocate for the petitioners and learned
A.G.P. for the respondents.
2. The grievance of the petitioners is as regards non issuance of
caste certificate by the learned S.D.O. i.e. competent authority.
2 906-wp 9020-2026+sptm.odt
The petitioners application is pending since 21.04.2026.
3. Considering above, we direct the respondent No. 2/learned
S.D.O. to either issue caste certificate to the petitioners or to reject
it on its own merits within one week from today.
4. With this, the writ petitions stand disposed of.
( AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J.) ( KISHORE C. SANT, J. )
P.S.B.
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