Over 33,000 caste claims rejected since 1995, Maharashtra government tells Bombay High Court

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government today told the Bombay High Court that since 1995 it had invalidated 33,252 caste scrutiny claims but could not state what action was taken against those who had already availed of caste-based benefits using invalid certificates.

In an affidavit, D D Mayee, Joint Commissioner and Vice Chairman of caste scrutiny committee, Pune, said the government had rejected 33,253 certificates since 1995.

Uday Warunjikar, lawyer for Adivasi Samaj Kruti Samiti, which had filed a public interest litigation, asked what action was taken against the applicants who had got benefits of invalid certificates and whether FIRs were lodged against them under section 10 of Maharashtra Caste Certificate Act.

Government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani said he would have to seek instructions from the authorities.

The division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka said it was unhappy with government's affidavit because it had not dealt with the issues raised in the PIL, which is about huge pedency of claims before various caste scrutiny committees.

The judges sought a fresh affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on August 13.