LAWS(ORI)-2024-5-9

RATAN KUMAR PUSPUREDDY Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

Decided On May 13, 2024
Ratan Kumar Puspureddy Appellant
V/S
STATE OF ODISHA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an intra-Court appeal directed against Judgment dtd. 15/2/2024 rendered by the learned Single Judge in the writ petition bearing W.P.(C) No.12122 of 2022 in the matter of an application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India.

(2.) The appellant (petitioner in the writ proceeding) claiming himself to be member of Schedule Caste community (pano), stated to have submitted application before the Tahasildar, Rayagada for issuance of a caste certificate in his favour for the purpose of employment. Similarly, his two sisters had also applied for issuance of caste certificates in their favour. The applications were registered as Misc. Caste Certificate Case Nos. e-CAS/996 of 2019, e-CAS/1691 of 2019 and e-CAS/1693 of 2019 (relating to the appellant). It is stated that applications were rejected by the Tahasildar on the ground that though the appellant/writ petitioner and his sisters belong to Scheduled Caste community, they profess Christianity.

(3.) Learned Single Judge, while disposing of the writ petition vide Judgment dtd. 15/2/2024, assigned the following reason and dismissed the said writ petition: