IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC FRIDAY, THE 4TH JANUARY 2008 / 14TH POUSHA 1929 WP(C).No. 189 of 2008(V) ------------------------ PETITIONER: -------------- A.RAVICHANDRAN, S/O.ARUMUGHAN, RESDING AT KUNNATH VEEDU, ERALAMPULLY P.O., VILAYODI, CHITTUR TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.V.CHITAMBARESH(SR) SRI.T.C.SURESH MENON SRI.JIBU P THOMAS SRI.P.S.APPU RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. THE KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, VYDYUTHI BHAVANAM, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE TAHSILDAR, CHITTUR TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. 3. THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, REPRESENTED BY ITS DISTRICT OFFICER, DISTRICT OFFICE, PALAKKAD. BY SPL.GOVT.PLEADER SRI.P.SANTHOSH KUMAR SRI.P.P.THAJUDEEN, SC, KSEB SRI.ALEXANDER THOMAS, SC, PSC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 189 OF 2008 V ===================== Dated this the 4th day of January, 2008 J U D G M E N T The claim of the petitioner is for issuance of a caste certificate to the effect that he belongs to Thandan, a Scheduled Caste. It is submitted that in view of the delay that has occurred, the petitioner will not be in a position to offer his candidature for the post of Mazdoor in Electricity Board for which selection process has already been initiated by the 3rd respondent and he has been called for interview. It is in view of this, in order to expedite the enquiry and issuance of certificate and to offer his candidature for employment pending such enquiry and issue of certificate, this writ petition has been filed. 2. Senior Government Pleader who appeared on behalf of 2nd respondent makes reference to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2007 and submits that in Kerala WPC 189/08 :2 : though Thandan is recognised as a Scheduled Caste, Ezhavas and Thiyyas in Kochi and Malabar Area have been excluded from this caste. On this basis, learned counsel rightly contends that a detailed enquiry is to be held for determining the caste status of the petitioner. 3. While the senior counsel for the petitioner is not contesting the requirement of an enquiry into the matter, all that he urges is that the delay in completing the enquiry cannot work out prejudice to the petitioner, he being a candidate for the post of Mazdoor in Electricity Board and is now called for an interview by Ext.P1. 4. Having heard both sides, I am inclined to agree with the counsel for the 2nd respondent that a detailed enquiry is necessary to determine the caste status of the petitioner. This enquiry has to be conducted by the 2nd respondent, who shall, realising the immediate requirement of a certificate for the petitioner, expedite the enquiry and conclude the same within six weeks of production of copy of this judgment. On conclusion of the enquiry, the 2nd respondent shall issue an appropriate certificate to the petitioner certifying his caste status. 5. In the meantime, since the interview for the post of WPC 189/08 :3 : Mazdoor is already scheduled to 6th of January, 2008, I direct that the 3rd respondent shall allow the petitioner to participate in the interview. If the petitioner is assessed to be suitable for inclusion in the select list, his advice shall be based on the caste certificate to be produced by the petitioner immediately on issuance of the same by the 2nd respondent. Writ petition is disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE. Rp