JUDGMENT :

UJJAL BHUYAN, J.

1. Heard Mr. Katneshwarkar, learned counsel for the petitioner; Mrs. M.A. Deshpande, learned Additional Government Pleader for respondent Nos. 1 to 4; Mr. A.B. Kadethankar, learned counsel for respondent No. 5; and Mr. Amol Sawant, learned counsel for respondent No. 6.

2. This matter was heard on 05.05.2021 and today is filed for delivery of judgment.

3. By fling this petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, petitioner seeks quashing of notification dated 27.11.2019 issued by the Government of Maharashtra in the Urban Development Department in respect of Dhule Municipal Corporation at Sr. No. 22 of the schedule thereto and further seeks a direction to the respondents to reserve the office of Mayor in the Dhule Municipal Corporation for scheduled caste category.

4. Facts are not in dispute and lies within a narrow compass. However for a proper adjudication of the lis those are briefly narrated hereunder.

5. Petitioner belongs to the scheduled caste category and his caste certificate was validated by the caste scrutiny committee. He is a social worker as well as a political activist having been elected as Councillor of Dhule Municipal Co