Bombay High Court|Monday, 23 February 2026
Bombay HC Upholds Caste Claim Invalidation in Ashok Bhaskarrao Wardekar vs The Scrutiny Committee
Bench
MS
Smt. M. S. JAWALKAR
M. S. Jawalkar
Bombay HC Upholds Caste Claim Invalidation in Ashok Bhaskarrao Wardekar vs The Scrutiny Committee (2026) held that The court emphasized that the Scrutiny Committee has the authority to invalidate caste claims based on thorough investigations and evidence presented.
In the case of Ashok Bhaskarrao Wardekar vs The Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, the petitioner challenged the invalidation of his claim to belong to the 'Thakur' Scheduled Tribe by the Scrutiny Committee. The Committee based its decision on a Vigilance Report and other documents that contradicted the petitioner's claim. The court ultimately upheld the Committee's decision, finding that the petitioner failed to prove his socio-cultural affinity to the Scheduled Tribe in question.
The court emphasized that the Scrutiny Committee has the authority to invalidate caste claims based on thorough investigations and evidence presented.
It was established that the existence of validity certificates for relatives does not automatically confer the same status to the petitioner without sufficient evidence of socio-cultural affinity.
Petitioner submitted proposal for caste verification
Scrutiny Committee issued order invalidating caste claim
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Scrutiny Committee issued another order regarding caste claim
Final judgment delivered
