2026:JHHC:3398 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No. 2371 of 2021 1. Shashi Nayak, aged about 51 years, son of late Bideshi Nayak, 2. Suraj Nayak, aged about 25 years, son of Shashi Nayak, both resident of village-Navratri Toli, Purana Bazar Toli, Budnu, Post Office & Police Station-Bundu, District-Ranchi, (Jharkhand) ... … Petitioner(s) Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. The Caste Scrutiny Committee, through Member Secretary-cum-Joint Secretary, Caste Scrutiny Committee, Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe, Minority and Backward Class, Welfare Department, Ranchi, Post Office & Police Station-Ranchi, District-Ranchi (Jharkhand) 3. The Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi, PO +PS Ranchi, Dist Ranchi 4. The Sub Divisional Officer, Bundu, Post Office & Police Station Bundu, District Ranchi (Jharkhand) 5. The Circle Officer, Bundu, Post Office & Police Station-Bundu, District-Ranchi (Jharkhand) 6. The Secretary, Welfare Department, Jharkhand, Ranchi, PO +PS Ranchi, Dist-Ranchi ... … Respondent(s) CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Anil Kumar Jha, Advocate For the Respondent(s) : Mr. Pradeep Kumar, AC to AAG-IV -------- Order No. 16/Dated: 9th February 2026 The instant writ application has been preferred by the petitioners for the following reliefs: “1.(a)To set aside/quash the order dated 11.01.2021 (Ann-8) issued under the signature of Respondent No. 2 whereby the Caste Certificate No. JHCC/2017/1691709 dated 09.01.2018 issued by the Sub Divisional Officer, Bundu in the name of Shashi Nayak and the Certificate No. JHCC/2017/959420 issued in the name of Suraj Nayak by the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi (Respondent No. 3) which have been canceled by dint of a decision is taken by Caste Scrutiny Committee in a meeting which was held on 10.11.2020 as well as a letter no. 955 (ii) dated 27.09.2018 issued by the Sub Divisional Officer, Bundu, Ranchi (Respondent No.4) dated 27.09.2018 where under the Caste Certificate which was earlier issued in the name of Shashi Nayak, which has been confirmed by a decision as taken on 10.11.2020 by the Caste Scrutiny Committee. (b)To set aside/quash the order dated 19.01.2019 (Annexure-5) passed by the Respondent No. 3 (The Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi) whereby the Caste Certificate its Registration No. JHCC/2017/959420 dated 14.07.2017 where under the Caste Certificate No. JHCC/2017/959420 dated 16.09.2017 passed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi (Respondent No.3) 2026:JHHC:3398 2 in the name of Suraj Nayak (Petitioner No.2) which has been canceled by the same authority i.e. Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi (Respondent No.3) (c) To set aside/quash the order dated 27.09.2018 (Ann-4) passed by the Respondent No. 4 whereby the Caste Certificate No. JHCC/2017/1691709 was issued in the name of Shashi Nayak (Petitioner No.1) which has been canceled on the basis of a report as submitted by the Respondent no. 5 to Respondent No. 4 by dint of a letter no. 955(ii) dated 30.08.2018. (d) To issue a direction to the concerned respondents to issue Caste Certificate to the petitioners in the spirit of a judgment dated 18.01.2012 passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 654 of 2012, (Rameshbhai Dabhai Naika-Versus- State of Gujrat & others.) (e) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s), order(s), direction (s) as may be deemed fit and proper for doing conscionable justice to the petitioners.” 2. The petitioners earlier moved before this Court praying therein for restoring their caste certificates bearing registration no. JHCC/2017/959420 dated 16.09.2017 issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi which was cancelled. The writ Court after going through the documents had directed the respondents to make a due enquiry after providing an opportunity of hearing and shall take an appropriate informed decision in the matter within a stipulated period. Vide order dated 01.11.2023 passed by this Court, the respondents were directed to file specific affidavit as to whether before passing the impugned order adequate opportunity was afforded to the petitioners or not. Pursuant thereto, a supplementary counter affidavit dated 17.01.2024 has been filed wherein it has been admitted that the impugned order/decision has been taken by the Caste Scrutiny Committee on the representation of the petitioners, however, the petitioners were not given any opportunity of hearing. 3. It has been fairly submitted by learned counsel for the respondents that the matter may be remitted to the concerned Caste Scrutiny Committee in order to give proper opportunity to the petitioners and come to a specific conclusion with regard to the cancellation of caste certificate of the petitioners. 4. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and after going through the documents available on record specifically the supplementary counter affidavit dated 17.01.2024, the impugned orders dated 11.01.2021, 2026:JHHC:3398 3 19.01.2019 and 27.09.2018, are hereby, quashed and set-aside and the matter is remitted to the Caste Scrutiny Committee to verify the records of the case and after hearing the petitioners and giving them full opportunity, take a decision with regard to cancellation of their caste certificates. It is made clear that this is a second round of litigation as such entire exercise shall be completed within a period of 10 weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 5. The instant writ application stands disposed of in the aforesaid terms. 6. Pending I.As, if any, also stand disposed of. (Deepak Roshan, J.) 9th February 2026 Amit Uploaded on 12/03/2026