2026:BHC-AS:2815-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Writ Petition No. 12835 of 2023 Akshay Uttam Gaikwad … Petitioner V/s.

1. State of Maharashtra

2. Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Nashik-2 … Respondents.

Mr. Siddheshwar Biradar and Anuj Gaikar i/b.Dinesh Shinde, Advocate for the Petitioner.

Mr. K.S.Thorat ‘B’ Panel, Advocate for the Respondents-State.

CORAM : M.S. KARNIK &

S.M. MODAK, JJ.

DATE : 19th January 2026.

ORAL JUDGMENT : (Per M.S. Karnik, J)

. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner.

Digitally s L i A g T n A ed by 2. The caste claim of the Petitioner as belonging to the ‘Koli LATA SUNIL SUNIL PANJWANI PANJWANIDate:

2026.01.21 +0530 Mahadeo’ Scheduled tribe is invalidated by the Scrutiny Committee by the impugned order.

3. The learned AGP invited our attention to the impugned order.

It is submitted that though the Petitioner’s father has been issued with the certificate of validity as far back as on 18 July 2005, the same was without holding enquiry. It is further submitted by the learned AGP that there were several overwritings and interpolation on the documents which have been relied upon by the Petitioner’s father and other