- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010084452022 NC: 2026:KHC:42459 WP No. 4208 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 4208 OF 2022 (GM-CC) BETWEEN: SRI BYRAYYA S/O MARIYAPPA, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, R/O CHIKKENAHALLI VILLAGE, CHANNAPATNA TALUK, RAMNAGAR DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRAVEEN KUMAR RAIKOTE.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. DISTRICT CASTE VERIFICATION COMMITTEE RAMNAGAR DISTRICT, BY ITS SECRETARY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, PANCHAYAT BHAVAN, B M ROAD, RAMNAGAR-562 159. 2. B SHIVRAJ PRINCIPAL EDITOR, ATHARKYA KANNADA PAKSHIKA KRANTIKARI NEWS PAPER, 4/20, KALLUBHAVI BIDI, BHIMANAGAR, KOLLEGALA, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT - 571 109. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.C. JAGADISH., ADVOCATE FOR R1; R2 SERVED) Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010084452022 NC: 2026:KHC:42459 WP No. 4208 of 2022 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER AT ANNEXURE-A DATED 15.07.2021 PASSED BY THE R1. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL ORAL ORDER 1. Petitioner is before this Court being aggrieved by the Order passed by the respondent No.1-District Caste Verification Committee dated 15.07.2021, produced at Annexure-A. 2. Petitioner was issued with a caste certificate dated 08.06.1977 by the Tahsildar certifying him to be belonging to ''Kadu Kuruba'' caste, which is Scheduled Tribe. Respondent No.2 had given a complaint to CRE Cell alleging irregularities in issuance of the said certificate. An enquiry is stated to have been conducted and a report was submitted. Acting upon the same, respondent No.1-District Caste Verification Committee has proceeded to pass the impugned order dated 15.07.2021, produced at Annexure-A cancelling the said certificate. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010084452022 NC: 2026:KHC:42459 WP No. 4208 of 2022 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the respondent No.1-District Caste Verification Committee cannot entertain a complaint by a third party and revisit the validity or otherwise the certificate issued by the Tahsildar under Section 4A of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointments, etc.) Act, 1990 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act, 1990'). Person aggrieved, if any, on issuance of certificate, has to have his grievance redressed under Section 4B of the Act, 1990 or the Deputy Commissioner may revive the order of the Tahsildar in exercise of his power under Section 4F the Act, 1990. 4. Therefore, he submits that the procedure adopted by the respondent No.1-District Caste Verification Committee in passing the impugned order cannot be countenanced as the same is one without authority and jurisdiction. 5. Learned Special Counsel appearing through video conference though does not dispute the above legal position. However, he submits that the petitioner cannot take advantage of the wrong and raise technical objection to retain the benefit, which petitioner is otherwise not entitled - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010084452022 NC: 2026:KHC:42459 WP No. 4208 of 2022 to. He however fairly submits liberty be reserved to the Deputy Commissioner to initiate action in accordance with Section 4F of the Act, 1990. 6. Submissions are placed on record. 7. In view of the aforesaid undisputed aspect of the matter, namely, respondent No.1-District Caste Verification Committee not having jurisdiction to directly entertain the complaint by a third party and proceed to cancel the caste certificate which otherwise falls within the provisions of Sections 4B and 4F of the Act, 1990, the impugned order dated 15.07.2021, produced at Annexure-A is hereby quashed. 8. It is made clear, the Deputy Commissioner is at liberty to take such action as contemplated under Section 4F of the Act, 1990, if so advised. 9. Petition is disposed of, accordingly. Sd/- (M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE RL List No.: 1 Sl No.: 19