1 WP10342.11 Bsb IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 10342 OF 2011 Shoba Laxman Dhotare ... Petitioner v/s State of Maharashtra & ors. ... Respondents Mr.R.K.Mendadkar for the petitioner. Mr.C.R.Sonawane, A.G.P. for respondent Nos.1 to 4. Mr.S.B.Shetye for respondent No.6. CORAM: B.H.MARLAPALLE & SMT.NISHITA MHATRE, JJ. DATED: 30TH NOVEMBER, 2011 P.C.: 1. Heard Mr.Mendadkar, the learned counsel for the petitioner. 2. The petitioner impugns the communication dated 22.11.2011 by which the District Level Caste Scrutiny Committee declined to accept the petitioner’s application for verification of his caste claim. The impugned communication states that certain documents were not filed by the petitioner 2 WP10342.11 along with the application and due to lack of time the Committee could not give its clear verdict. Consequently, the verification proceedings could not be completed before 22.11.2011. 3. In our opinion, the social status claim verification application cannot be dealt with so casually and it is required to be decided on merits. We, therefore, direct respondent No.2 Committee to scrutinize the petitioner’s caste claim on merits and by following the due procedure prescribed by the Supreme Court in the case of Kumari Madhuri Patil v/s Addl. Commissioner, Tribal Development and others, reported in (1994) 6 S.C.C. 241. The petitioner to approach the Committee and submit an application, whereupon the Committee shall restore the petitioner’s application for verification of his caste claim as belonging to Vadar - Vimukta Jati. 4. Writ petition is disposed off in terms of the above directions. (SMT.NISHITA MHATRE, J.) (B.H.MARLAPALLE, J.) 3 WP10342.11 4 WP10342.11