COMMON JUDGMENT

(As per Hon’ble Sri Justice Alapati Giridhar)

Gist:

> Head Note:

? Cases referred:

2022 SCC Online SC 1282 (2017) 8 SCC 670

Date of reserved for orders : 23.07.2026

Date of pronouncement : 16.10.2026

Date of uploading : 16.10.2026

1. These Appeals are filed by the State Bank of India, Tirupati, assailing the Common Order passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.Nos.8158, 8439, 8882 & 8883 of 2004 dated 19.12.2023, wherein the Writs were allowed, setting aside the cancellation of two brothers‟ caste certificates, and also setting aside their dismissal from service.

I. BRIEF CONTENTIONS:

2. The learned counsel for the Appellant/SBI submits that the Order of the learned Single Judge is erroneous and contrary to law. As a question, whether the enquiry was conducted without an opportunity was given to the Writ Petitioners is to be considered and admittedly a show-cause notice was issued to them, on 19.07.2000, they submitted the explanation to the District Level Scrutiny Committee and appeared, along with school certificates. The proceedings of the 3rdRespondent/District Collector show that the Fair Shop Key Register maintained by the Tahsildar Office, Tirupati, discloses that the Caste of one of the Writ Petitioners/P.RamaKrishnaiah was recorded as „Balija‟ in his ration card. The Writ Petitioners participated in the enquiry and the question of no opportunity and violation of principles of natural justice does not arise. Whereas the learned Single Judge took an objection for non-consideration of the school certificates, which are submitted by the Petitioners. The enquiry conducted by the Tahsildar in the locality of Nehru Nagar, Tirupati ascertained that the family/surname of the petitioner‟s Caste as „Balija‟ and he also married a girl of „Balija‟ community but not SC community.

3. The learned counsel for the Appellant submits that even if there is any irregularity in the enquiry, the matter has to be remanded for adjudication, but the learned Single Judge erroneously set aside the Order on the ground of violation of principles of natural justice. Further, the learned Single Judge cannot pass the Order in these Writ Petitions directing to reinstate the Petitioners into service and pay the terminal/service benefits and the counsel prayed to allow the Appeals.

4. The learned Counsel for 1stRespondent/Writ Petitioners submits that the learned Single Judge rightly passed the Order and prays to dismiss the Appeals. The learned counsel submits that the case of the Bank is that the Assistant General Manager, S.B.I., Zonal Office, Tirupati, while enclosing an anonymous petition received by him, requested the Collector to verify the caste status, the report relied on the ground that the Caste of Sri P. Rama Krishnaiah is recorded as „Balija‟ in the ration card and the discrete enquiry in the locality revealed that the Writ Petitioners‟ family is predominantly known as „Balija‟ but did not consider the educational record of the Writ Petitioners. Further, in the enquiry report was not furnished to the Writ Petitioners, so also the anonymous letter, the learned Single Judge rightly recorded that non-furnishing of the enquiry report and the letter violated the principles of natural justice and prayed to dismiss the Appeals.

II. WRITS AND BRIEF PRAYERS:

5. P. Rama Chandraiah filed two writ petitions i.e., W.P.No.8158 of 2004 and W.P.No.8883 of 2004:

1. Declaring the action of the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 in cancellation of the Petitioner‟s Caste Certificate under the impugned order dated 06.04.2004 is arbitrary, illegal and in violation of principles of natural justice.

2. Declaring the action of the Respondents by proceedings dated 29.04.2004 in dismissing the Petitioner from service is arbitrary, illegal and in violation of principles of natural justice.

6. P. Rama Krishnaiah filed two W.P.No.8439 of 2004 and W.P.No.8882 of 2004:

1. Declaring the action of