Kunal Prabhakar Bachhav v. The State Of Maharashtra Thr The Secretary, Tribal Development Dept. And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.12773 OF 2024 Kunal Prabhakar Bachhav ] R/of Upendra Nagar, Ambad, Nashik ] .. Petitioner

Versus

1. The State of Maharashtra, ] Through Tribal Development Department ]

2. Deputy Director (Research) and Member Secretary, ] The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Inspection Committee, ] Nashik Division, Nashik ]

3. BRACT's Vishwakarma Institute of Information ] Technology, Pune ]

4. Commissioner and Competent Authority, ] State Common Entrance Test Cell, Fort, Mumbai ] .. Respondents Mr. Aniket S. Phapale, i/by Mr. Vinayak R. Kumbhar, Advocates for the Petitioner.

Ms. Kavita N. Solunke, Assistant Government Pleader for the RespondentState of Maharashtra. CORAM : A.S. CHANDURKAR & RAJESH S. PATIL, JJ DATE : 10TH OCTOBER 2024.

ORAL JUDGMENT : { Per A.S. Chandurkar, J. } 1.

Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and heard learned counsel for the parties.

2.

The petitioner claims to belong to Mahadeo Koli Scheduled Tribe and is presently pursuing education at the respondent no.3-Institution. The petitioner seeks a direction for expeditious consideration of his tribe claim. On 1st October 2024, the learned Assistant Government Pleader was Digitally signed by SNEHA ABHAY DIXIT Date:

2024.10.10 17:39:08 +0530 1/2 SNEHA ABHAY DIXIT 21-WP-12773-2024.doc Dixit

granted time to obtain instructions as regards the status of the petitioner's tribe claim and the time within which the same would be decided. On instructions, it is submitted that within a period of two months, the Scrutiny Committee would decide the petitioner's claim on merits. 3.

In view of the aforesaid, the respondent no.2 is directed to decide the petitioner's claim on merits by 31st December 2024. The petitioner's admission shall not be disturbed till the said proceedings are decided and for a further period of two weeks from passing of the final order. Rule accordingly by clarifying that all points on merits are kept open. 4.

The writ petition is disposed of with no order as to costs. [ RAJESH S. PATIL, J. ] [ A.S. CHANDURKAR, J. ] 2/2 21-WP-12773-2024.doc Dixit