G.Ramachandran v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22.09.2015

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SATISH K. AGNIHOTRI and THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.K. SASIDHARAN W.P. No.29688 of 2015 G. Ramachandran Petitioner Vs.

The Revenue Divisional Officer Dharmapuri Dharmapuri District Respondent Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to issue community certificate to the petitioner's children, viz., R. Maheswari, R. Vijayasarathi and R. Senthil Kumar that they belong to Kurumans (ST) community based upon the community certificate possessed by the petitioner and his blood relatives. For petitioner Mr. V. Elangovan For respondent Mr. P.S. Sivashanmugasundaram Special Government Pleader

ORDER

(made by SATISH K. AGNIHOTRI, J.) Mr. P.S. Sivashanmugasundaram, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice for the respondent. With the consent of the learned counsel on either side, the writ petition is taken up for disposal, at the admission stage itself.

This writ petition is filed seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to issue community certificate to the petitioner's children, viz., R. Maheswari, R. Vijayasarathi and R. Senthil Kumar that they belong to Kurumans (ST) community, based upon the community certificate possessed by him and his brother's son.

The petitioner, claiming to be belonging to Kurumans (S.T.) community, has made an application on 15 March 2013 to the respondent, seeking issuance of such community certificate to his children R.Maheswari, R. Vijayasarathi and R.Senthil Kumar. Since no orders have been passed on the said application, he has come up with the instant writ petition, seeking the aforestated relief. From a perusal of records, it is manifest that in support of his claim that he belongs to Kurumans (S.T.) community, the petitioner has enclosed with his application, his community certificate dated 15 September 1988 issued by the Tahsildar, Omalur and also the proceedings of the State Level Scrutiny Committee dated 07 May 2014, confirming that one M.Manirathinam, who, according to the petitioner, is his brother's son, belongs to Kurumans (ST) community, besides certain other documents.

We have been repeatedly observing that a community comprises not only the members of the family, but, also the members of the same group or tribe. In the case on hand, when the petitioner has been issued with community certificate recognising his community as Kurumans (ST) community, as a natural corollary, his children are also entitled to get such community status.

Needless to state that if any doubt crops up in the mind of the competent authority qua the genuineness of the community certificate issued to the petitioner, while considering his application for grant of the same certificate for his children, the only course open to the competent authority is to refer the same to the State Level Scrutiny Committee, but, not to take a contrary stand by dis-crediting the same. The said community certificate is subject to further verification by the State Level Scrutiny Committee. In other words, if the competent authority has any doubt about the genuineness of the community certificate issued to the petitioner, he has no competence to wish away the same, unless the same is set aside or modified by the higher authority, i.e., the State Level Scrutiny Committee and he can only refer the matter to the State Level Scrutiny Committee.

In view of the foregoing, we direct the respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's application dated 15 March 2013, on merits and in accordance with law, after conducting enquiry as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Kumari Madhuri Patil and another vs. Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development and Others1. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. (1994) 6 SCC 241

The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. Costs made easy.

Sd/- Asst.Registrar (CS IV ) /true copy/ Sub Asst. Registrar cad To The Revenue Divisional Officer Dharmapuri Dharmapuri District +1 cc to Mr.S.Doraisamy, Advocate, sr.51646 W.P. No.29688 of 2015 ctk co kra 30/09/2015