YOGESH RAMCHANDRA NAIKWADI vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court held that even if the appellant's claim to belong to a Scheduled Tribe was rejected, he should not be denied the degree obtained during his provisional admission. Citing precedents from State of Maharashtra v. Milind (2001) 1 SCC 4 and R. Vishwanatha Pillai v. State of Kerala (2004) 2 SCC 105, the Court established that the retention of the degree is justified to avoid public detriment, despite the invalidation of the caste claim. The appeal was allowed, affirming the appellant's right to retain his degree while clarifying that he cannot claim Scheduled Tribe benefits in the future.