JUDGMENT :

R.D. DHANUKA, J.

1. By this Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the Petitioner has impugned the decision and order of the Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Konkan Division, Thane-Respondent No.2 herein invalidating the claim of the Petitioner and seeks declaration that the Petitioner belongs to “Thakur-Scheduled Tribe” (Reserved Category) by issuing appropriate writ, order and direction as the case may be. Some of the relevant facts for the purpose of deciding this Writ Petition are as under:

2. On or about 21.03.2000 the Petitioner was appointed as an Assistant Teacher by Respondent No.4. She joined her services on 10.04.2000 in Panchayat Samiti School, Palghar. She was posted in Zilla Parishad School, Dharatpada, Taluka-Palghar on 28.06.2000. Her appointment was against the Scheduled Tribe Reserved Category. Her tribe claim in the prescribed format was referred to Respondent No.2-Committee through Block Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Palghar vide letter dated 21.01.2011. The Petitioner submitted 38 documents before Respondent No.2-Committee in support of her Tribe Claim.

3. It is the case of the Petitioner that the Petitioner