IN THE JUDICATURE OF HIGH COURT AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 947 WRIT PETITION NO. 12376 OF 2025 Sharad Baliram Gundwad VERSUS The State Of Maharashtra Through Secretary And Others ... Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Golegaonkar Madhur A. AGP for Respondents-State: Mr. S. B. Pulkundwar ... CORAM : R. G. AVACHAT & ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ. Dated : OCTOBER 08, 2025 PER COURT : - 1. Heard. 2. The tribe claim of the petitioner is pending with respondent No. 2 – Caste Scrutiny Committee since 24/06/2024. The petitioner is in service and, therefore, has received a notice of termination for non- submission of the caste validity certificate. 3. In that view of the matter, we direct respondent No. 2 – Caste Scrutiny Committee to decide the caste claim of the petitioner within a period of six months from today. Till the caste claim of the petitioner is decided, respondents No. 3 and 4 shall not take any adverse action against the petitioner solely on the ground that the caste claim of the petitioner is pending. Page 1 of 2 2025:BHC-AUG:28547-DB 947 WP 12376-2025 4. It is made clear that the protection granted to the petitioner will operate only till the decision of the caste claim of the petitioner. 5. The petitioner shall extend full cooperation for expeditious disposal of the caste claim. 6. With the directions as above, the petition is disposed of. ( ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J. ) ( R. G. AVACHAT, J. ) vj gawade/-. Page 2 of 2