JUDGMENT - KARNIK D.G., J.:---The petitioner claims that he belongs to Rajput Bhamta caste/tribe, which is recognized as "V.J.N.T.". The petitioner obtained the caste/tribe certificate from the Tahsildar, Gangapur, District Aurangabad, in which petitioners caste/tribe was certified to be "Rajput Bhamta". On the basis of the said certificate, the petitioner sought admission to the seat reserved for "V.J.N.T." in the Government Engineering College, Pune. After admission, the caste/tribe certificate, produced by the petitioner, was sent for scrutiny to the Director of Social Welfare, Maharashtra State, Pune, who was then authorized to scrutinize and validate or invalidate the caste/tribe certificate. The Director, Social Welfare, after inquiry and after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, held that the petitioner failed to establish that he belongs to "Rajput Bhamta" and, therefore, invalidated his caste/tribe certificate. This order of the Director of Social Welfare passed on 24-1-1985 was challenged by filing an appeal before the Divisional Commissioner, Aurangabad Division, Aurangabad, who was then the appellate authority. By an order dated 26th June, 1985, the Divi

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