1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION NO.2605 OF 2010 Smt.Meenabai w/o Suryakant Shetwad @ Karlewad Petitioner Versus The State of Maharashtra & another Respondents Mr.R.P.Bhumkar, advocate for the petitioner. Mr.S.T.Shelke, advocate for Respondents. CORAM: R.M.BORDE, J. DATE : 25th March, 2010. P.C.: 1 The nomination paper tendered by petitioner for contesting election to the post of Member of Village Panchayat has been turned down by the Returning Officer on the ground of non fulfillment of requirement of Section 10-1A of Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958. 2 Petitioner wanted to present her candidature as against a seat earmarked for reserved category. Along with nomination paper, petitioner failed to present caste validity certificate. As such, her nomination paper came to be turned down. 3 Learned Counsel for petitioner places reliance on the judgment delivered by Divisional Commissioner, Pune Division, Pune on 24.07.1986 and contends that in view of the judgment in appeal, rendered by 2 Divisional Commissioner, no separate validity certificate is required. 4 I have perused the judgment delivered by Divisional Commissioner, Pune Division, Pune. From the facts stated in the judgment, it is evident that Tahsildar, Malshiras refused to issue caste certificate in favour of petitioner. As such, she approached appellate authority seeking direction for issuance of caste certificate. Considering the evidence placed on record, Divisional Commissioner was pleased to allow appeal and directions were given for issuance of caste certificate in favour of petitioner. The decision relied upon by the petitioner does not dispense with the requirement of securing caste validity certificate. The requirement of law in respect of production of caste validity certificate has not been fulfilled by the petitioner and as such, Returning Officer was justified in rejecting nomination paper presented by petitioner. In exercise of writ jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, no case is made out for causing interference. 5 Writ Petition stands rejected. (R.M.BORDE) JUDGE ******* adb/wp260510