(1) 3.wp.6923.2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR WRIT PETITION NO.6923 OF 2026 Ku. Shreya Manoj Dhok Vs. The Joint Commissioner cum Vice Chairman The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Chandrapur and others -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Court's or Judge's orders appearances, Court's orders of directions and Registrar's orders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. N. D. Jambhule, Advocate for petitioner. Mr. S. V. Narale, AGP for respondent No.1/State. Mr. Nikhil Gaikwad, Advocate for respondent No.3. CORAM : URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE AND RAJ D. WAKODE, JJ. DATED : 03/09/2026 1. By this petition, the petitioner made a limited prayer that is the direction to the Scheduled Tribe Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Chandrapur to decide the caste claim of the petitioner expeditiously. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, who submitted that the petitioner belongs to the “Mana” Scheduled Tribe. The caste claim of the petitioner towards “Mana” Scheduled Tribe came to be forwarded to the Scrutiny Committee along with necessary documents for the purpose of caste verification on 20.08.2025. On 31.08.2026 the petitioner got admitted in respondent No.2-college for pursuing B.Sc. (Agriculture) course. Despite the petitioner has submitted validity certificate of his cousin uncle Tilakchand as he belongs to “Mana” Scheduled Tribe as well as old documents, the respondent Committee has not decided the 2026:BHC-NAG:11686-DB (2) 3.wp.6923.2026 caste claim of the present petitioner expeditiously. As the petitioner is now admitted in respondent No.2-college by pursuing B.Sc., she is insisted for Caste Validity Certificate. As the caste claim is not decided, therefore, she is unable to produce the same and, therefore, there is apprehension of losing the admission. In view of above, he prayed that the Committee be directed to decide the caste claim of the petitioner expeditiously. He further prayed that petitioner’s admission be protected in the meantime. 3. Learned AGP, submitted that the petitioner though intimated to supply the documents, she has not supplied the documents and, therefore, his instructions are that the caste claim of the petitioner can be disposed of within a period of six months after supplying the relevant documents. 4. After hearing both sides and on considering the aspect that the petitioner is required to produce the relevant documents, the respondent Nos.2 and 3 shall consider his candidature from the Scheduled Tribe and shall not take any steps to cancel his admission for want of Validity Certificate. 5. Now, this aspect is already considered by the Government by issuing Government Notification and protection is already granted to the candidates belong to the Special Backward Class (SBC) and Other Backward Class (OBC), the same benefit can be extended to the other caste and tribe also. In view of that, we proceed to pas following order: (3) 3.wp.6923.2026 ORDER (i) The petitioner shall cooperate with the Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Chandrapur and on supplying the documents we direct the respondent No.1 Committee to decide the caste claim of the petitioner within a period of six months. (ii) In the meantime, the respondents Authorities shall not take any steps to cancel the admission of the present petitioner and no coercive action shall be taken against her for want of Caste Validity Certificate. (iii) The admission of the petitioner would be subject to the final outcome of the petition. She shall not claim any equity. With this directions the petition is disposed of. (RAJ D. WAKODE, J) (URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, J) Sarkate Signed by: Mr. A.R. Sarkate Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 04/09/2026 17:13:09