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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL  APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL  APPEAL  NO. 6285   OF 2009 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2558/2006)

 STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR.   ... APPELLANT(S)

:VERSUS:

 VIJAY PANDITRAO VISALE AND ANR.  ... RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R Leave granted. We  have  heard  the  learned  counsel  for  the  

parties quite at length. This appeal is directed against the judgment and  

order  dated  8.8.2003  passed  by  the  High  Court  of  Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, Nagpur, in Writ  petition No. 1455 of 2003.   

The  short  controversy  which  arises  for  consideration in this case is whether Respondent No.1  Vijay Panditrao Visale belongs to “Thakur” (Scheduled

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Tribe) or not.  In our considered view, there has to be  a comprehensive inquiry by the Caste Scrutiny Committee  (for short “the Committee”). The Committee must take  into  consideration  entire  documentary  evidence,  oral  evidence, ethnic linkages and affinity test and arrive  at a definite conclusion as to whether the respondent  belongs to the category of “Thakur” (Scheduled Tribe).  

We  direct  that  the  Caste  Scrutiny  Committee  shall  carry  out  this  exercise  independently  without  being  influenced  by  any  observation  made  in  the  impugned judgment of the High Court.  The Committee may  permit parties to adduce additional evidence.   

The  matter  is  remitted  to  the  Caste  Scrutiny  Committee and the appeal is disposed of accordingly,  leaving the parties to bear their own costs.

To  avoid  further  delay,  we  would  request  the  parties to appear before the Caste Scrutiny Committee  on 26.10.2009 and the Caste Scrutiny Committee shall  make  all  endeavour  to  dispose  of  this  case  as  expeditiously as possible.

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Respondent  No.1,  who  is  stated  to  be  working  with the Dena Bank, shall continue on his post until  the matter is finally determined and decided.     

....................J (DALVEER BHANDARI)

....................J   (Dr. B.S. CHAUHAN)    NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 15, 2009.