Nigar Sultana Ladkhan Bangi v. The Divisional Cast Scrutiny Committee, Committee No. 1 And ORS.

905 WP 2343-15.doc Sequeira

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 2343 OF 2015.

Nigar Sultana Ladkhan Bangi. .. Petitioner Vs.

The Divisional Caste Scrutiny Committee Committee No.1 & ors. .. Respondents Mr.A.M.Savagave, for the petitioner.

Mr.Vikas Mali, Assistant Government Pleader, for the State. CORAM: Mrs. Vasanti A. Naik & Mrs.Mridula Bhatkar JJ.

Tuesday 10 March, 2015.

P.C.:

Heard.

By this petition, the petitioner seeks a direction to the respondent-Caste Scrutiny Committee No.1 -Solapur, to decide the caste claim of the petitioner within a time frame. The petitioner also seeks the protection of her education till the caste claim is decided.

Mr.Mali, the learned Assistant Government Pleader, appearing on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee states on instructions that the caste claim of the petitioner is pending before the Scrutiny Committee and the same would be decided as early as possible.

905 WP 2343-15.doc In view of the statement made by the learned Assistant Government Pleader, we dispose of the Writ petition with a direction to the State Government to decide the caste claim of the petitioner as early as possible and positively within a period of nine months from the date of appearance of the petitioner before the Scrutiny Committee. The petitioner undertakes to appear before the Scrutinee Committee on 30th March 2015 so that issuance of notice to the petitioner could be dispensed with. Since the petitioner is not at fault in not producing the Caste Validity Certificate, the education of the petitioner is protected till the caste claim is decided. The College and the University should permit the Petitioner to appear at the examination and prosecute her studies till her caste claim is decided. Order accordingly. No order as to costs.

(Mridula Bhatkar J.) (Vasanti A.Naik J.)