904-WP-13714-26.doc Sharayu Khot. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 13714 OF 2026 Shravani D/o Shankar Gadge …Petitioner Versus State of Maharashtra & Ors. …Respondents ---------- Mr. Sahil Choudhari h/f Mr. Digambar Shinde for the Petitioner. Mr. Abhijeet K. Naik, AGP for the Respondent-State. Mr. Sameer Khedekar a/w Ms. Mayuri Andhale for the Respondent No. 3. ---------- CORAM : R.I. CHAGLA J FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J DATE : 14 October 2026 ORDER : 1. Mr. Choudhari, the learned Counsel for the Petitioner, seeks leave to amend the prayers in the Writ Petition. 2. Leave is granted. 3. The Petitioner shall carry out the amendment in the 1/4 SHARAYU PANDURANG KHOT Digitally signed by SHARAYU PANDURANG KHOT Date: 2026.10.15 12:39:52 +0530 904-WP-13714-26.doc course of today. Re-verification is dispensed with. 4. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard by consent of the parties. 5. This Petition has been moved on the ground of urgency in that the Petitioner seeks to participate in CAP Round 3 and under the Scheduled Tribe category and for which registration is from 15th October 2026 to 18th October 2026. The Petitioner is unable to upload the Caste Validity Certificate, in view of the Respondent No. 2 - Scrutiny Committee not having taken decision on the claim of the Petitioner for grant of the Caste Validity Certificate. 6. The Petitioner had moved the Aurangabad Bench of this Court seeking directions to the Respondent No. 2 - Scrutiny Committee to decide the claim of the Petitioner. Accordingly, by an order dated 23rd July 2026, the Aurangabad Bench of this Court has directed the Respondent No. 2 - Scrutiny Committee to decide the claim of the Petitioner within a period of three months. That period is expiring on 22nd October 2026. 2/4 904-WP-13714-26.doc 7. The learned AGP for the Respondent No. 1 – State, on instructions, has referred to the communication dated 14th October 2026 of the Respondent No. 2 – Scrutiny Committee, which shows that the hearing has been concluded and the matter is closed for orders. He states that the order will be passed by the Respondent No. 2 – Scrutiny Committee on the claim of the Petitioner for grant of Caste Validity Certificate by the stipulated date, viz. 22nd October 2026. The statement is accepted. The said communication dated 14th October 2026 of the Respondent No. 2 – Scrutiny Committee is tendered, taken on record and marked “X” for identification. 8. This Court has taken a view in relation to the Government Resolutions dated 2nd July 2026 and 4th September 2026 by which the candidates belonging to reserve categories other than Scheduled Tribes have been granted extension of time to submit their Caste Certificates and Caste Validity Certificates, that there are no reasons furnished by the State for not granting benefit of extension to the Scheduled Tribes. 9. Considering that the Petitioner claims to belong to the Scheduled Tribe and Government Resolutions have not been made 3/4 904-WP-13714-26.doc applicable to Scheduled Tribes, this Court has directed the State to take a decision on making these Government Resolutions applicable to Scheduled Tribes as well. 10. In view thereof, we direct Respondent No. 3 – State CET Cell to permit the Petitioner to participate in the ongoing CAP Round and subsequent CAP Rounds under the Scheduled Tribe category without insisting upon the submission of the Tribe Validity Certificate. 11. This order is made subject to the outcome of the Tribe Validity Claim of the Petitioner before the Respondent No. 2 - Scrutiny Committee. 12. The Writ Petition is disposed of in the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs. [FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J.] [R.I. CHAGLA J.] 4/4