SC Delivers Verdict In Favour Of Navneet Kaur Rana In Caste Certificate Case Ahead Of LS Polls

The Supreme Court on Thursday pronounced verdict on plea of Amravati MP Navneet Kaur Rana against cancellation of her caste certificate by the Bombay High Court.

Rana challenged the Bombay High Court order of 2021, where it was observed that she obtained 'Mochi' caste certificate fraudulently, even though records showed that she belonged to the caste 'Sikh-Chamar'.

Source : PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday pronounced a verdict in instant plea in favour of BJP's Lok Sabha Candidate and Amravati MP Navneet Kaur Rana against cancellation of her caste certificate by the Bombay High Court.

The top court observed that in the instant case, the Scrutiny Committee duly considered her documents and then passed its decision complying with principles of natural justice.

The bench overtuned the high court order ruling that it did not merit any interference under Article 226.

"In light of the discussion and the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the instant appeals stand allowed and the High Court order is set aside."

On Februrary 28, the top court reserved verdict in Rana's plea over the cancellation of Amravati MP Navneet Kaur Rana's'Mochi' caste certificate, the Supreme Court today gave its judgment.

The Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Sanjay Karol heard the case and reserved verdict earlier.

Rana challenged the Bombay High Court order of 2021, where it was observed that she obtained 'Mochi' caste certificate fraudulently, even though records showed that she belonged to the caste 'Sikh-Chamar'. Following this, her election to Lok Sabha was invalidated from a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra. She had contested elections from state of Maharashta with Ravidasiya Mochi certificate. 

Rana's case had been that her forefathers belonged to the Sikh-Chamar caste, wherein 'Sikh' is a religious pre-fix.

She has claimed that her forefathers belonged to the Sikh-Chamaar Caste. It was contended that her forefathers of the petitioner were cobblers- mochi and were interrelated to the skin tanners- 'Chamaars'.

Rana has joined BJP and is the party's choice for the same seat (Amaravati) for the upcoming general elections that start from April 19.