1 2026:CGHC:26096 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2892 of 2026 Simran Bano D/o Abdul Hannan Aged About 23 Years R/o House No. 141, Harijanpara, Navagarh, Ambikapur, Distt. Sarguja Chhattisgarh 497001 ... Petitioner versus 1 - The State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, General Administration Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) Ambikapur, District Sarguja Chhattisgarh 3 - Tehsildar Tehsil Ambikapur, Ambikapur, District Sarguja Chhattisgarh ... 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 issuance of an appropriate writ, direction or order commanding the respondent YOGESH TIWARI Digitally signed by YOGESH TIWARI Date: 2026.06.25 18:30:32 +0530 2 authorities to issue a permanent Social Status Certificate/Caste Certificate in her favour certifying her as belonging to "Darji" caste (Muslim), which is recognized as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the State of Chhattisgarh. The grievance of the petitioner is that despite issuance of a temporary Social Status Certificate in the year 2022 and despite fulfillment of all requisite formalities, the respondents have neither issued the permanent Social Status Certificate nor taken any final decision on her claim. 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 is a permanent resident of the State of Chhattisgarh and belongs to the Darji caste (Muslim), which is included in the list of Other Backward Classes notified by the State Government. It is submitted that the petitioner was born at Ambikapur, District Surguja, and has completed her education within the State of 3 Chhattisgarh. Learned counsel would further submit that after complying with all procedural requirements prescribed under the Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Regulation of Social Status Certification) Act, 2013 and the Rules framed thereunder, a temporary Social Status Certificate was issued in favour of the petitioner on 02.10.2022 bearing Application No.0705012215003507 and Registration No.2022-15-006978 recognizing her as belonging to Darji caste (Muslim), an OBC category. He would further submit that the petitioner's father was also issued a caste certificate as far back as on 19.09.1997 recognizing him as belonging to Darji caste (Muslim), which falls within the Other Backward Class category. It is further submitted that the family ration card and other supporting documents also corroborate the petitioner's claim. Despite the aforesaid documents being available on record and despite issuance of a temporary Social Status Certificate, the respondents have not issued the permanent Social Status Certificate till date and have merely expressed their inability orally. According to learned counsel, such inaction on the part of the authorities is causing serious prejudice to the petitioner, who is unable to avail educational and other statutory benefits available to members of the Other Backward Classes. Therefore, a direction may be issued to the competent authority to consider and decide the petitioner's claim within a stipulated period. 4 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 claim/application for issuance of a permanent Social Status Certificate is pending before the competent authority, the same shall be considered and decided strictly in accordance with law within a reasonable time. 4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents available on record. 5. Considering the aforesaid submissions and particularly taking into account the fact that a temporary Social Status Certificate was issued in favour of the petitioner on 02.10.2022 and that the petitioner's claim for issuance of a permanent Social Status Certificate is stated to be pending consideration since then, this Court is of the opinion that the ends of justice would be served by directing the competent authority to take an expeditious decision in the matter. 6. Accordingly, the concerned Tahsildar/Competent Authority is directed to consider and decide the petitioner's claim/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 further directed that if any document, clarification or information is found necessary for adjudication of the petitioner's 5 claim, the concerned authority shall communicate the same to the petitioner within a reasonable time and grant her adequate opportunity to furnish the requisite documents. Upon submission of such documents, the competent authority shall proceed to pass a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with law within the aforesaid period. 8. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim and the competent authority shall take an independent decision on the basis of the material available on record and such additional material as may be furnished by the petitioner. 9. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the instant writ petition stands disposed of. No order as to costs. Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Yogesh