1 63.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 63 WRIT PETITION NO. 10137 OF 2026 SHAHANOORKHAN SHARDALKHAN PATHAN VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS ... Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Solanke Krushna S. AGP for Respondent/State : Mr. V.M. Kagne … CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ. DATE : 18.08.2026 PER COURT : . The petitioner is challenging the communication dated 29.07.2026 issued by the Headmaster rejecting the proposal for correction in the caste of the petitioner in school record. The petitioner applied for correction in his caste from ‘Tadvi Pathan’ to ‘Muslim’. The said proposal is rejected by the Headmaster on the ground that, he does not have the authority for correction. 2. The Headmaster under Rule 26.4 of the Secondary Schools Code, has to forward the proposal to the Education Officer. He has no jurisdiction to reject the proposal on the ground stated in the said communication. 3. Writ Petition is, therefore, allowed. The impugned communication/remark issued by the Headmaster is quashed and set- aside. The Headmaster shall forward the representation of the 2026:BHC-AUG:37793-DB 2 63.doc petitioner dated 29.07.2026, to the Education Officer, within a period of two (02) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 4. Respondent No.2/Education Officer shall decide the said proposal within a period of two (02) weeks thereafter. 5. It is made clear that the Education Officer shall not reject the said proposal only on the ground that the petitioner is no more a student of the said school. ( ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J. ) ( NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J. ) vsj..