UTTAM SHIVDAS JANKAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard with consent of learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) By this Writ Petition No.4069 of 2014, the petitioner questions the legality and propriety of the order dated 24 th March, 2014 passed by the respondent No. 2 Committee, by which the petitioner's claim as belonging to 'Khatik' (Scheduled Caste) is invalidated, so also the caste certificate No.MAG/S/2/2009 dated 7 th February, 2009 issued by the third respondent, i.e., Sub-Divisional Officer, Malshiras Sub-Division, certifying the petitioner to be belonging to 'Khatik' (Scheduled Caste). By the impugned order, the said certificate was directed to be confiscated.

(3.) The petitioner initially in the month of December, 2007 contested the election of Velapur Gram Panchayat for two seats ­ one reserved for category of backward class of citizens and other for general category. He was elected from both the seats. The petitioner thereafter resigned from the seat reserved for backward class category and retained the seat of general category. The petitioner was also elected for the post of Sarpanch from general category.