Sonaji Eknath Kappe v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others

2026:BHC-AUG:6099-DB (1) 52- W.P. 6106-2025.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 52 WRIT PETITION NO. 6106 OF 2025 Sonaji S/o Eknath Kappe, Age : 35 Years, Occ. Service, R/o. Pathrud, Tq. Jalna.

.. Petitioner

VERSUS

1.

The State of Maharashtra, Through its Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Mantralya, Mumbai.

2.

The Scheduled Tribe Caste Certificate Verification Committee, Chh. Sambhajinagar Through its Dy. Director (R), Dist. Chh. Sambhajinagar 3.

The Superintendent of Post Offices, Malegaon Division, Malegaon Dist. Nashik .. Respondents ...

Advocate for the Petitioner : Mr. Sunil Mahadevappa Vibhute AGP for Respondent/State: Mrs. Chaitali R. Chaudhari Advocate for Respondent No.3 : Mr. Rajesh H. Mewara ...

CORAM :

SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE AND ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.

DATED : FEBRUARY 09, 2026 ORAL ORDER (PER ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J):- 1.

Heard.

2.

The Tribe Claim of the petitioner of belonging to " Koli Mahadev" Scheduled Tribe is pending with the respondent/Scrutiny Committee since 7th January 2021. The learned counsel for the

(2) 52- W.P. 6106-2025.odt petitioner submits that, in the meantime the employer of the petitioner has issued a show cause notice calling upon him to submit the tribe validity certificate, failing which, his service would be brought to an end.

3.

The learned A.G.P. on instructions, submits that the hearing of proceedings of validation of the petitioner's tribe claim is already concluded and only the decision is to be rendered. She would submit that it would take a period of two months to pass the final order. 4.

In that view of the matter, we dispose of this Writ Petition by directing the respondent/scrutiny committee to pass a final order within a period of eight weeks from today.

5.

Till the tribe claim of the petitioner is decided, the employer of the petitioner shall not take any coercive action against the petitioner, solely on the ground of non-submission of validity certificate. 6.

We make it clear that the protection granted by this Court will operate only till the decision on the petitioner's tribe claim is rendered by the respondent/ scrutiny committee.

7.

With these directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. (ABASAHEB D. SHINDE) (SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE) JUDGE JUDGE YSK/