GAYATRILAKSHMI BAPURAO NAGPURE vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court held that the Scheduled Tribe Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee failed to adequately consider relevant documents supporting the appellant's claim of belonging to the 'Halba' Scheduled Tribe, including a government order favoring her cousin and her father's caste certificate. The Court emphasized the importance of considering certificates issued to close relatives as per Maharashtra Government Instructions. The appeal was allowed, and the matter was remanded for reconsideration by the Committee in light of the overlooked evidence, establishing that due process must be followed in caste certificate verification.