JUDGMENT :

NITIN W. SAMBRE, J.

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally with consent of learned counsel for the parties.

2. The challenge in the petition is to the order dated 27/02/2024 passed by the respondent No. 1-Scrutiny Committee invalidating the claim of the petitioner of belonging to ‘Thakur’ Scheduled Tribe.

3. The petitioner secured a caste-certificate dated 27/12/2004 from the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Washim certifying that the petitioner belongs to ‘Thakur’ Scheduled Tribe. Subsequently based on said certificate the petitioner availed the opportunity of getting public employment.

4. As a sequel of above, the petitioner was granted appointment on a post which was reserved for Scheduled Tribe category. However, such appointment was subject to submission of validity certificate.

5. In support of the tribe-claim, the petitioner placed reliance on the oldest document of 01/03/1914 in the form of birth extract in respect of her great great grand-father. Entries in birth register dated 01/02/1931 and the school extract dated 17/06/1938 in relation to Datta Tukaram grand-father of the petitioner also depict entry ‘Thakur’. The petitioner has also produced