1 2026:CGHC:26095 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2890 of 2026 Mohsin Ali (Minor) S/o Abdul Hannan Aged About 16 Years Through Father And Legal/natural Guardian, Abdul Hannan S/o Late Abdul Mannan R/o House No. 141, Harijanpara, Navagarh, Ambikapur, Distt. Sarguja (C.G.)- 497001 ... Petitioner versus 1 - The State of Chhattisgarh Through- The Secretary, General Administration Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) Ambikapur, District Sarguja (C.G.) 3 - Tehsildar Tehsil Ambikapur, Ambikapur, District Sarguja (C.G.) ... Respondents (Cause-title taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner : Mr. Aditya Chopra, Advocate For State : Mr. Shobhit Mishra, Deputy Government Advocate Hon’ble Shri Amitendra Kishore Prasad, Judge Order on Board 25.06.2026 1. By filing the present petition, the petitioner has sought a direction to the respondent authorities for issuance of a permanent Social YOGESH TIWARI Digitally signed by YOGESH TIWARI Date: 2026.06.25 18:30:31 +0530 2 Status Certificate/Caste Certificate certifying his as belonging to the "Darji" caste (Muslim), which is recognized as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the State of Chhattisgarh. The petitioner has further prayed for expeditious consideration of his claim in accordance with the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Regulation of Social Status Certification) Act, 2013 and the Rules framed thereunder. The petitioner has prayed for following relief(s):- “10.1 That the Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to call the records pertaining to the petitioner' case. 10.2 That the Hon'ble court may be pleased to issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent 2 & 3 to issue Permanent Social Status Certificate (Caste Certificate) to the petitioner, under the Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Regulation of Social Status Certification), Rules 2013. 10.3 Any other relief deemed fit in the present facts and circumstances of this case may also be awarded to the petitioner.” 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was born in the State of Chhattisgarh and belongs to the Darji caste (Muslim), which finds place in the list of Other Backward Classes notified by the State Government. It is submitted that after completing the requisite formalities, the petitioner submitted an application before the competent authority/Tahsildar for issuance 3 of a permanent Social Status Certificate. Learned counsel would further submit that a temporary Social Status Certificate was already issued in favour of the petitioner on 02.10.2022 bearing Application No.0705012215003504 and Registration No.2022-15- 006977. Despite the lapse of considerable time thereafter, the application for issuance of a permanent Social Status Certificate is still pending consideration before the concerned Tahsildar and no final decision has been taken till date. He would further submit that the petitioner's father was also issued a caste certificate recognizing him as belonging to the Darji caste (Muslim) falling within the Other Backward Class category and the relevant entries in the family records also support the claim of the petitioner. It is argued that non-consideration of the petitioner's application is causing serious prejudice as she is unable to avail the benefits available to members of the Other Backward Classes. Therefore, a direction may be issued to the concerned authority to decide the pending application within a time-bound manner. 3. On the other hand, learned State counsel does not oppose the limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner and submits that if the petitioner's application is pending before the competent authority, the same shall be considered and decided in accordance with law within a reasonable period. 4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and considered the documents available on record. 4 5. Considering the aforesaid aspect of the matter, particularly the fact that the petitioner's application seeking issuance of a permanent Social Status Certificate is stated to be pending consideration before the competent authority since the year 2022, this Court is of the view that the ends of justice would be served by directing the competent authority to take a decision on the said application expeditiously. 6. Accordingly, the concerned Tahsildar shall consider and decide the petitioner's application for issuance of a permanent Social Status Certificate/Caste Certificate strictly in accordance with law within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. 7. It is made clear that in the event any document or information is found to be deficient or required for adjudication of the petitioner's claim, the concerned Tahsildar shall inform the petitioner regarding such deficiency and grant reasonable opportunity to furnish the requisite documents. Upon submission of such documents, the competent authority shall proceed to pass an appropriate reasoned order in accordance with law within the aforesaid period. 8. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the instant writ petition stands disposed of. No order as to costs. - Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Yogesh