IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN THURSDAY, THE 31ST JULY 2008 / 9TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 23108 of 2008(A) -------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- SAJI. K.V. AGED 19 YEARS, S/O VASUDEVAN, KARIMBANAKAL HOUSE, AGALI, PALAKKAD. BY ADV. SMT.T.B.MINI RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. THE VILLAGE OFFICER, AGALI, PALAKKAD 678 001. 2. TAHSILDAR, MANNARKKAD, TALUK, PALAKKAD - 678 001. BY SPL. GOVERNMENT PLEADER, SC/ST: SRI.P.SANTHOSH KUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J ================== W.P(C)No.23108 of 2008 ================== Dated this the 31st day of July, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner claims to be a member of the 'Thandan' community which is recognised as a Scheduled Caste in the State of Kerala. When the petitioner applied for a community certificate the same was rejected by the Village Officer by Ext.P5 order. The petitioner challenges the same. 2. According to the petitioner, as per the law declared by this court and the Supreme Court, the petitioner cannot be denied the certificate as a 'Thandan' (Scheduled Caste). 3. The learned Special Government Pleader admits that as per the law prevailing, Village Officers do not have powers to pass orders like Ext.P5. In above circumstances, Ext.P5 is quashed and writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 2nd respondent to conduct an enquiry into the caste status of the petitioner in accordance with law as it obtains today, in the light of W.P(C)No.23108 of 2008 - 2 - Ext.P6 amendment and to pass appropriate orders after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner to produce appropriate documents, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE rhs