JUDGMENT

U Durga Prasad Rao, J. - The petitioner seeks for a mandamus declaring G.O.Ms.No.140, Social Welfare (CV.2) Department, dated 26.12.2007 issued by the 1st respondent confirming the proceedings in Roc.NoC3/1972/2002 dated 31.10.2004 issued by the 2nd respondent finding that the petitioner has obtained caste certificate No.4340/77 dated 22.10.1977 by fraudulent means and misrepresenting the facts to the officers concerned, as illegal and arbitrary and consequently to set aside the aforesaid G.O. and the proceedings issued by respondent Nos.1 and 2 and pass such other orders as deemed fit.

2. The petitioner's case is thus:

a) In the year 1977, the petitioner applied to the then Tahsildar, Puttur Taluk, Chittoor District to issue caste certificate. In the application, she mentioned her caste as 'Achary', but she did not mention her caste as 'Kammara' or her social status as 'ST'. The Tahsildar, after conducting enquiry and basing on the report of the Revenue Inspector, issued caste certificate No.4370/77 dated 22.10.1977 certifying that the petitioner belongs to Achary (Kammara) caste and the said caste is recognised as 'Scheduled Tribe' under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Trib