JUDGMENT :

1. By this Petition, the Petitioner is seeking quashing and setting aside the order dated 15th March 2021 passed by Respondent No. 1-District Caste Verification Committee, Thane invalidating the caste claim of the Petitioner as “Rajput Bhamta.” It is the claim of the Petitioner that he belongs to Hindu Rajput Bhamta caste which falls in V.J. category and has been granted caste certificate dated 6th August 1993 by the Competent Officer.

2. Petitioner submitted proposal for caste verification on 4.4.2003 vide proposal No. 541 of 2003 to the Respondent No. 1-Committee after which the caste claim of the Petitioner was subjected to enquiry by the Vigilance Cell who submitted its report on 25th July, 2003. The Vigilance report is annexed at Exhibit-D (page 30 to the petition). It is submitted that based on its enquiry, the petitioner’s caste appeared to be “Rajput Bhamta.”

3. It is submitted that the Petitioner was directed to file a fresh proposal which was submitted by the Petitioner on 24th November 2010 and Petitioner submitted written submissions on 18th June 2013 pursua