JUDGMENT

D.K. Jain, J.:

1. This appeal is directed against the judgment of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, delivered on 5th May 2004, in W.P. No.1687 of 2004. By the impugned judgment, the High Court has affirmed the order passed by the Committee for Scrutiny and Verification of Tribe Claims, Amravati, (for short “the Caste Scrutiny Committee”), respondent No.1 in this appeal, cancelling the caste certificate dated 2nd January, 2002, issued to the appellant by the Sub- Divisional Magistrate, Pusad, District Yavatmal, certifying that the appellant belongs to the `Halbi’ Scheduled tribe, notified in terms of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

2. Succinctly put, the material facts giving rise to the present appeal are as follows:

The appellant, who holds a degree of Bachelor of Engineering (BE), was appointed as a field officer by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, respondent No.2 herein, against a post reserved for “Scheduled Tribe”, on probation with effect from 16th March, 1998. The appointment was subject to production of the Caste Validity Certificate. On a failure to produce the same, respondent No.2 issued a notice of termination of ser