1 5 6320.26.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR WRIT PETITION NO.6320 OF 2026 Ku.Sharwarya d/o Digamber Shrirame vs. Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur and ors Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Court' s or Judge' s Order Coram, appearances, Court' s Orders or directions and Registrar' s order Shri Yash Venkatraman, Counsel along with Shri Suraj Dadmal, Advocate for the Petitioner. Shri Amit Madiwale, AGP for Respondent Nos.1 & 3. CORAM : URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE & RAJ D.WAKODE, JJ. DATED : 17th AUGUST, 2026. 1. Heard learned counsel Shri Yash Venkatraman for the petitioner - student and learned Assistant Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 and 3. 2. The petitioner – student has approached this court seeking a direction to respondent No.1 – Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur (respondent No.1 Committee) to decide her caste claim towards caste “Mana Scheduled Tribe” within a stipulated period. 3. Contention is that, the petitioner – student had submitted her caste claim to respondent No.1 Committee on 17.12.2024. Acknowledgment to that effect is at page No.48, Annexure-6. Even, after a passage of more than one and half year, the aforesaid caste claim is pending before respondent No.1 Committee. 2 5 6320.26.odt 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner – student invites our attention towards “Provisional Seat Allotment Letter” (PSAL), which reveals that the petitioner – student is allotted a seat in respondent No.2 – The National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh. However, instructions, as issued by respondent No.2 – The National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh, which are at page No.56 (Annexure-9), reveal that the last date for reporting physically is 18.8.2026. The said instructions also provide that candidates will have to produce all original certificates and documents physically for verification. The instructions provide at the time of admission by candidates belonging to category from the Maharashtra State must provide their Caste Validity Certificates. However, candidates from other States, more specifically from Andhra Pradesh, are required to produce their Caste Certificates issued by the Revenue Divisional Officer. 5. In our considered opinion, respondent No.2 – The National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh has imposed conditions, which are discriminatory towards students belonging to the Maharashtra State. 6. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 and 3, upon instructions, makes a categorical statement that respondent No.1 Committee shall decide the 3 5 6320.26.odt caste claim of the petitioner – student within a period of three months from today. 7. Learned counsel for the petitioner – student has tendered across the Bar an affidavit of service sworn by the petitioner – student dated 16.8.2026 thereby making a solemn statement upon oath that the petitioner – student has served respondent No.2 – The National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh on its Official E-mail Address on 15.8.2026. However, nobody appears for respondent No.2. 8. In view of the above and for the reasons stated aforesaid, we dispose of the present writ petition as per following order: ORDER (1) Respondent No.1 – Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur is directed to decide the caste claim of the petitioner – student towards caste “Mana Scheduled Tribe” on its own merits within the stipulated period of three months from today. (2) Respondent No.2 – The National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh No.2 is directed to process the admission of the petitioner – student towards the seat allotted without insisting her for Caste Validity Certificate and on the basis of the Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority. 4 5 6320.26.odt (3) Needless to mention that the aforesaid admission of the petitioner – student shall be provisional and subject to decision of respondent No.1 Committee. (4) The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. No costs. Copy of this order, duly authenticated, be furnished to learned counsel for parties. [JUDGE] [JUDGE] !! BrWankhede !! Signed by: Mr. B. R. Wankhede Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 17/08/2026 14:43:22