RAYI JAYAPRAKASH NARAYANA Vs. SCRUTINY AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The autocracy of the State akin to Orwells Big Brother assumes varied forms. In the present case, it manifests itself in repeated and unending enquiries into the caste status of the petitioner.

(2.) The petitioners claim of being a Konda Kapu, a Scheduled Tribe in the State of Andhra Pradesh, despite being affirmed time and again at various levels, is subjected to question once again by the State. By letter dated 04.09.2001, the petitioner was informed by the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, that on the representation made by the President, Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Tribe Employees Association, Hyderabad, the State Level Screening Committee was to convene a meeting on 11.09.2001 to determine his social status. Having entered appearance through counsel before the Committee, the petitioner filed this writ petition seeking a writ of prohibition interdicting the respondents from proceeding in the matter on the ground that the enquiry initiated was illegal, unconstitutional and without jurisdiction.

(3.) By order dated 28.11.2001, this Court permitted the proposed enquiry to go on subject to the condition that the materials relied on by the State Level Committee should be furnished to the petitioner. The respondents were however restrained from passing final orders in the matter. It is stated that pursuant to this order, the enquiry proceedings were not taken up at all.