1 966.WP.12953.25.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION NO.12953 OF 2025 MUKESH RAJUDAS BHABARDODE VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND OTHERS ... Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Thorat Chandrakant R. AGP for Respondents: Mr. P.K. Lakhotiya ... CORAM : R.G. AVACHAT AND ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ. DATE : 04.11.2025 PER COURT: 1. Heard. 2. A limited grievance raised in this petition is that the caste claim of the petitioner of belonging to ‘Naikda’ Scheduled Tribe has been pending before the respondent – Committee since 20.12.2024. In the meanwhile, the employer of the petitioner has issued a notice dated 25.09.2025, calling upon the petitioner to submit the caste validity certificate, failing which the petitioner’s service will be terminated. Considering the same, we direct the respondent – Committee to decide the petitioner’s claim within a period of six (6) months from today. 3. Until the caste scrutiny committee renders its decision, the service of the petitioner shall not be disturbed. We make it clear that the 2025:BHC-AUG:30194-DB 2 966.WP.12953.25.odt protection granted by this Court will operate only till the caste claim of the petitioner is decided. With these directions the writ petition is disposed of. (ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.) (R.G. AVACHAT, J.) habeeb/