HC directs Maharashtra govt to extend caste-validity grace period to ST students

The division bench of the Bombay High Court at Aurangabad has directed the Maharashtra government to extend the same sixmonth grace period for submitting castevalidity certificates to Scheduled Tribes ST that is granted to other reservedcategory students including those in MBBS and engineering coursesThe case involved four sisters from Osmanabad whose admissions to higher studies were at risk due to delays in the verification of their caste certificates Despite providing extensive historical documentation their certificates were not processed in timeThe court criticised the statersquos discriminatory policy ruling that ST students should be treated equally under the law These four sisters have set a precedent for other ST students across the state highlighting the need for fair treatment and timely processing of caste claimsThe sistersrsquo caseThe petitioners mdash Bhakti Sangita Vaibhavi and Anita Vyankatrao Koli mdash are from the Koli Mahadev tribe a recognised ST in Marathwada While Vaibhavi is a secondyear BSc student all other siblings are graduates and postgraduates keen to study further and have recently cleared the MHCET examinations Despite submitting extensive documentation including ancestral records dating back to 1928 their caste certificates were not processed within the mandated sixmonth verification periodMohanish Thorat advocateAdvocate Mohanish Thorat representing the petitioners argued that the governmentrsquos policy was discriminatory ldquoWhile students from other reserved categories are granted a grace period our clients from marginalised tribal communities were unfairly excludedrdquo he said stressing a violation of the constitutional right to equality under Article 14ldquoIn this case the state of Maharashtra has extended relaxation for submission of certificates of validity for professional courses such as MBBS and engineering only excluding ST students In fact in the present case the student got admission but for want of a validity certificate her admission could not be confirmedrdquo said ThoratInterim reliefThe division bench of the Bombay High Court directed that the petitionerrsquos admissions remain secure for the next five months ensuring they would not lose their academic opportunities due to bureaucratic delaysThe court also ordered the production of further documentation including ancestral revenue records from the Fasli years 1338 1928 1343 1933 1358 1948 and 1952 which list the petitionersrsquo ancestors as ldquoKoli Mahadevrdquo These records while disregarded by the Caste Scrutiny Committee were vital in substantiating the petitionersrsquo caste claims pointed out ThoratFlawed verification processThe case highlights significant flaws in Maharashtrarsquos caste certificate verification process which has faced criticism for delays and inconsistencies In the recent case despite providing ample genealogical and historical evidence the sistersrsquo caste certificates were not processed in time This delay compounded by bureaucratic inefficiency leaves students from marginalised communities at risk of losing educational opportunities explained ThoratThe issue is not isolated Numerous students across Maharashtra especially in the Marathwada region have faced similar delays in caste certificate verification leading to legal battles and lost educational opportunities This systemic problem underscores the need for urgent reform to ensure the timely and consistent processing of caste certificates he addedStep toward equalityThe Bombay High Courtrsquos ruling is a crucial step toward ensuring equal treatment for ST students Thorat emphasised that the decision could set a precedent for other students facing similar caste verification challenges ldquoThe Bombay High Courtrsquos intervention highlights the need for reform in the caste verification process ensuring it operates fairly and efficiently for all studentsrdquo explained ThoratFight for justiceThe Maharashtra government is expected to respond to the courtrsquos directives and the case will be heard again on November 24 2025 The petitioners remain hopeful that the court will ultimately uphold their right to education and provide a lasting solution for other students facing similar challengesMajor victoryAs the case progresses the petitioners remain optimistic ldquoWe are relieved by the Courtrsquos decision and hope the issue will soon be resolvedrdquo said Bhakti Koli who can now continue her law studies