1 4 wp7076.26.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR WRIT PETITION NO.7076 OF 2026 Shri Yash Shyam Nannaware vs. The Joint Commissioner cum Vice Chairman, The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Chandrapur 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 N.D.Jambhule, Counsel for the Petitioner. Mrs.S.S.Jachak, Addl.G.P. for Respondent No.1. Shri Nikhil Gaikwad, Counsel for Respondent Nos.3 & 4. CORAM : URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE & RAJ D.WAKODE, JJ. DATED : 07th SEPTEMBER, 2026. 1. Heard learned counsel Shri N.D.Jambhule for the petitioner, learned Additional Government Pleader Mrs.S.S.Jachak for respondent No.1, and learned counsel Shri Nikhil Gaikwad for respondent Nos.3 & 4. 2. By this petition, the petitioner seeks a limited prayer to direct respondent No.1/The Joint Commissioner cum Vice Chairman, The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Chandrapur to decide caste claim of the petitioner belonging to “Mana Scheduled Tribe.” 3. As per contentions of the petitioner, the petitioner, who is a student, belongs to “Mana Scheduled Tribe.” The caste claim of the petitioner was forwarded for validation on 17.12.2025 and the same is still pending. Now, the 2026:BHC-NAG:11827-DB 2 4 wp7076.26.odt petitioner is admitted in respondent No.2/College. His candidature was considered from the “Scheduled Tribe Category.” The Allotment Letter produced on record shows that candidature of the petitioner was considered from the “Scheduled Tribe Category” for which a pre-condition is that the petitioner should produce Caste Validity Certificate. Due to pendency of the caste claim, the petitioner is unable to produce Caste Validity Certificate before the Authorities and, therefore, the petitioner is having apprehension of loosing the admission. In view of that, the petitioner is seeking directions from this court to all the respondents not to cancel the admission of the petitioner. 4. Learned counsel for respondent Nos.3 and 4 submits that considering Caste Validity Certificate is pre-condition, the prayer of the petitioner deserves to be rejected. 5. Learned Additional Government Pleader, upon instructions, submits that the caste claim of the petitioner can be decided within six months. 6. After hearing both sides and perusing the entire record available, it reveals that the caste claim of the petitioner is pending with the said Committee. Now, the Government of Maharashtra has already taken care and considered this aspect and issued Government Notification dated 4.9.2026 and has extended time to produce Caste Validity Certificate within three months as far as other categories are 3 4 wp7076.26.odt concerned. However, such benefits are not extended to the “Scheduled Tribe Category.” There is no reason mentioned in the said Notification as to why such benefits are not extended to the “Scheduled Tribe Category.” Therefore, we are of a considered opinion that such benefits can be extended to the “Scheduled Tribe Category” also. 7. Considering the aspect that due to non availability of the Caste Validity Certificate, there is apprehension of loosing the admission, the prayer of the petitioner deserves to be allowed. Accordingly, we proceed to pass following order: ORDER (1) The Writ Petition is disposed of. (2) The respondent No.1/The Joint Commissioner cum Vice Chairman, The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur is directed to decide the caste claim of the petitioner within a period of six months from today. (3) In the meanwhile, respondent Nos.2 to 4 shall not cancel the admission of the petitioner. (4) The admission of the petitioner would be subject to final outcome of the caste claim of the petitioner decided by the said Committee. 4 4 wp7076.26.odt (5) The petitioner shall not seek any equity on this ground. (6) With these directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. (7) Copy of this order duly authenticated be furnished to learned counsel for the parties to be acted upon. [JUDGE] [JUDGE] !! BrWankhede !! Signed by: Mr. B. R. Wankhede Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 07/09/2026 19:49:52