Venkatesan v. The Chairman

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23.06.2025 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE J.NISHA BANU AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN Venkatesan ... Petitioner -vsThe Chairman, State Level Scrutiny Committee, Chief Secretarait, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

... Respondent Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to consider and pass orders on the verification proceedings initiated vide Letter No.12825/CV3/2014 dated 24.08.2017 by holding the claim of the petitioner for ST Kurumans community as genuine. For Petitioner : M/s.K.Nithyashree For Respondent : Mr.R.Kumaravel Addl. Govt. Pleader *****

O R D E R

(By J.Nisha Banu,J.) This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the respondent to consider and pass orders on the verification proceedings initiated vide Letter No.12825/CV3/2014 dated 24.08.2017 by holding the 1/4

claim of the petitioner for ST Kurumans community as genuine.

2. Mr.R.Kumaravel, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondent. By consent, the Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that he belongs to Hindu Kurumans community. Initially, his father applied for issuance of a community certificate to the petitioner, which was rejected on earlier occasions. Lastly, this Court, by an order dated 02.07.2024 in W.P.No.11763 of 2014 disposed of the case with a direction to the Committee to conduct enquiry and take a decision. Consequent thereto, though he had submitted all documents and the enquiry was also commenced as early as on 24.08.2017, no final decision has been taken on the request made by the petitioner. It is further case of the petitioner that he had produced sufficient proof in terms of the guidelines issued by the Government dated 21.08.2023, to the effect that his close relatives still embrace Hindu Kurumans community, his claim for ST Kurumans 2/4

community certificate has not been considered since 2017. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent stated that since an enquiry has already been initiated, a reasonable time may be granted to the respondent to complete the same and take a decision thereon.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and taking note of the limited scope of the relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, directs the respondent to complete the verification proceedings initiated vide Letter No.12825/CV3/2014 dated 24.08.2017 and take a decision in respect of the issuance of the community certificate to the petitioner in accordance with law. Such an exercise shall be carried out within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. J.NISHA BANU, J.

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AND M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.

ar

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

(J.N.B.J.,) (M.J.R,J.,) 23.06.2025 Index: Yes / No Internet: Yes / No ar To:

The Chairman, State Level Scrutiny Committee, Chief Secretarait, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

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