1 2025:CGHC:33897 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2341 of 2021 * - Sunil Kumar Meshram S/o Himdas Meshram, Aged About 32 Years Caste Mahar, R/o Bakhtawar Chal, Tulsipur, Rajnandgaon, Tahsil And District Rajnandgaon Chhattisgarh ... Petitioner versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Its Secretary, Department Of Tribal Welfare, Mahanadi Bhawan, Nawa Raipur, District : Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - The Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) Rajnandgaon, Tahsil And District Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh 3 - The Tahsildar, Rajnandgaon, Tahsil And District Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh ... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr. Love Kumar Ramteke, Advocate For Respondents/State : Mr. Lav Sharma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 17/07/2025 1. The petitioner has filed this petition seeking the following relief(s):- 10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call the entire records from the respondents. 10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authority to issue Caste Certificate to the Petitioner. 10.3 That, the Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondents by issuing the writ in the nature of mandamus to provide a permanent caste certificate of Schedule Caste to the petitioner on prescribed period granted under C.G. Lok Sewa Guarantee Act, 2011. Digitally signed by RAMESH KUMAR VATTI Date: 2025.07.21 18:06:07 +0530 2 10.4 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to grant any other relief or pass such other and further orders as may be deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the present case in the interest of justice. 2. Mr. Love Kumar Ramteke, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that an application for issuance of social status certificate is pending consideration before the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Rajnandgaon. He would submit that a direction was issued by the authority concerned to produce revenue documents prior to year 1950. He would contend that such direction is contrary to the provisions of Chhattisgarh Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Regulation of Social Status Certification) Act, 2013 (for short 'the Act, 2013'). He would pray that a direction may be issued to the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Rajnandgaon to decide the pending application expeditiously. 3. On the other hand, Mr. Lav Sharma, Panel Lawyer appearing for the State would oppose. 4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents. 5. Chapter IV of the Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Regulation of Social Status Certification) Rules, 2013 (for short 'the Rules, 2013') deals with Inquiry, Cancellation and Forfeiture of Certificates. Rule 20 of the Rules, 2013 prescribes the vigilance service empowered to conduct an enquiry with regard to the social status of a person. In the absence of material documents, the report of the vigilance cell would be conclusive. 6. The Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Rajnandgaon is directed to consider and decide the pending application of the petitioner for grant 3 of social status certificate strictly in accordance with the Act, 2013 and the Rules, 2013 after affording the due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. 7. With the aforesaid direction(s) / observation(s), the writ is disposed of at admission stage itself. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) Judge vatti