SC: Repeated Inquiries For Verification Of Caste Certificate Detrimental To Members Of The SC/ST Community

Name of the Case

J. Chitra v. District Collector and Chairman State (2021)

Key Takeaways

• The decision to cancel the community certificate by Chennai District Vigilance Committee was challenged before the Supreme Court.
• The Court analyzed the facts and circumstances and interpreted the objective of verification of the certificates.
• The Court held that if the SC/ST members are repeatedly asked to get the certificates verified it would be detrimental to them as it should only be done in case there was any fraud involved.

Why the Petition

• A writ petition had been filed by J. Chitra which challenged the order passed by the Chennai District Vigilance Committee to cancel the community certificate.
• The High Court on being approached refused to interfere in the order of the Committee.

What did the Court note

• The inquiry by the District Level Vigilance Committee upholding the community certificate issued in her favour was not challenged at any forum.
• Since the District Vigilance Committee’s recognition of the Appellant's community certificate had become final, the State Level Scrutiny Committee lacked jurisdiction to reopen the case and remand it to the District Level Vigilance Committee for further examination.
• The verification should be to determine if the certificate was issued without proper inquiry in case it is vitiated by fraud.

What is the Order

• Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would be harassed by repeated requests for inquiry of caste certificates.
• The goal of Scrutiny Committees verifying caste certificates is to prevent false and fake claims, and reopening of inquiries can only be done if they are tainted by fraud or granted without adequate investigation.
• The cancellation order of the District Vigilance Committee was set aside.

Do you think the members of the SC/ST community are harassed by the repeated verification process? Tell us in the comments section below!