1 WP / 14211 / 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 908 WRIT PETITION NO. 14211 OF 2026 PORNIMA SURESH GHANTE VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH SECRETARY AND OTHERS ... Advocate for petitioner : Mr. G.K. Chinchole h/f. Mr. O.B. Boinwad and Ms. Nikita B. Bontalwar Addl.GP for the respondent – State : Mr. P.S. Patil ... CORAM : KISHORE C. SANT AND JITENDRA JAIN, JJ. DATE : 13 OCTOBER 2026 PER COURT : Heard learned advocate for the petitioner and learned AGP. The Petition is taken up for final disposal at the statge of admission. 2. Looking to the prayers, no notice is necessary to respondents no. 3 to 5. Respondent no. 5 issued notice to the petitioner dated 28.09.2026, asking him to file reply as to why the caste validity certificate is not produced before the employer. It is stated that if no reply is received within two days, further action would be taken. 3. Learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is appointed as Shikshan Sevak on 26.02.2026 as belonging to a scheduled tribe Koli Mahadev. On 12.03.2024, her proposal is 2026:BHC-AUG:48831-DB 2 WP / 14211 / 2026 forwarded to the committee for validity. He submits that it is not in her hands now to get the proceedings decided at the earliest. However, looking to the fact that the respondents are likely to take action, it is necessary to direct the Committee to decide the claim of the petitioner within a stipulated period. 4. Learned AGP, on instructions, informs that the committee would require at least 4 months time to decide the claim of the petitioner. 5. Considering the above, the Committee is directed to decide the claim of the petitioner within a period of four (4) months from today. 6. For a period of four (4) months or till the decision of the validity proceedings, the respondents shall not take any adverse action only on the ground of non-submission of the caste validity certificate by the petitioner. 6. With this, the Petition stands disposed of. [ JITENDRA JAIN ] [ KISHORE C. SANT ] JUDGE JUDGE arp/