JUDGMENT

(Per : Abhay J. Mantri, J.)

(1) Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith and heard finally by the consent of the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

(2) The challenge is raised to the order dated 26/09/2023 passed by respondent Scheduled Tribe Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur (for short- ‘the Committee’), whereby rejected the tribe claim of the petitioner that he belongs to “Mana” Scheduled Tribe.

(3) The petitioner claims that he belongs to the “Mana” Scheduled Tribe category; accordingly, on 24/05/2018, Sub-Divisional Officer, Katol issued a caste certificate in his favour. He was pursuing education, viz., a bachelor of engineering degree in the “Open” category. For the purpose of further education, through the Principal of the Arya Gurukul International Junior College, he forwarded his caste certificate along with relevant documents to the respondent Committee for its verification.

(4) The Committee was dissatisfied with the documents produced by the petitioner and therefore, forwarded the same to the Vigilance Cell for a detailed enquiry. Accordingly, the Vigilance Cell has conducted a thorough enquiry and submitted its report to the Committee, observing t