B.P. Dharmadhikari, J.

1. The challenge in present writ petition is to order dated 19.7.2013 passed by the Divisional Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Aurangabad (Respondent 2 herein) invalidating caste claim of Petitioner & canceling her caste certificate as belonging to caste Momin recognized as OBC vide government resolution dated 13.10.1967 & at serial number 191 therein. The exercise to determine the correctness of the caste claim has been undertaken by the Respondent 2 Committee under the provisions of Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance & Verification of) Caste Certificates Act, 2000 (Act No. 23 of 2001 hereafter) & Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance & Verification of) Caste Certificates Rules, 2012 (2012 Rules hereafter) framed on 31.8.2012 thereunder.

2. Caste certificate has been used by the Petitioner to contest the elections of Respondent 3 Zilla Parishad, Aurangabad & on its