UNION OF INDIA vs S.KRISHNAN

The Supreme Court upheld the Madras High Court's decision which set aside the removal of the respondent from service, concluding that he belonged to the Scheduled Tribe, specifically the Lambadi community. The Court noted that the respondent's claim was supported by a letter from the Director of Welfare, which recognized the Lambadi community as Scheduled Tribe in most areas of Tamil Nadu. The Court emphasized that the respondent's employment status as a general category candidate did not negate his rights under Scheduled Tribe provisions, thus affirming the High Court's ruling.