Bharat Keshav Salunke v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others

1 27.CA.4621.25.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD CIVIL APPLICATION NO.4621 OF 2025 IN WP/6775/2023 WITH WRIT PETITION NO.6775 OF 2023 BHARAT KESHAV SALUNKE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS ...

Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Sudhir Raghunath Barlinge AGP for Respondents: Ms. S.S. Joshi ...

CORAM

: MANISH PITALE & Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, JJ.

DATE : 07.07.2025 PER COURT:

1.

The learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that instead of pressing the Civil Application, this Court may consider disposing of the Writ Petition itself by issuing an appropriate direction to the Respondent No.2 - Scrutiny Committee to decide the tribe claim of the Petitioner at the earliest. It is submitted that in the absence of consideration and decision on the tribe claim of the Petitioner, he is deprived of service benefits.

2.

The learned AGP, on instructions, makes a statement that this Court may consider granting time of six (6) months to decide the tribe claim.

2 27.CA.4621.25.odt 3.

In view of the fact that the tribe claim of the Petitioner was referred to the Scrutiny Committee, as far back as, in the year 2008, we deem it appropriate to direct Respondent No.2 - Scrutiny Committee to decide the tribe claim of the Petitioner as belonging to the Scheduled Tribe 'Tokre Koli' on or before 31.10.2025.

4.

The Respondent No.2 - Scrutiny Committee shall take into account all aspects of the matter including the claim of the Petitioner that his blood relatives have validity certificates on the basis of orders passed in their favour by this Court.

(Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, J.) (MANISH PITALE, J.) habeeb/