HC directs Ambikapur revenue authorities to decide minor’s caste cert plea in 30 days

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed revenue authorities in Ambikapur to decide within 30 days a pending application for a permanent social status certificate filed by a minor boy from the Muslim Darji community, observing that an expeditious decision would serve the ends of justice.Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad passed the order on June 25 while disposing of a writ petition filed by 16-year-old Mohsin Ali through his father, Abdul Hannan, a resident of Harijanpara in Navagarh, Ambikapur.The petitioner had approached the high court seeking a direction to the sub divisional officer (Revenue) and the Ambikapur tehsildar to issue a permanent caste certificate. He said the Darji caste (Muslim) is recognised by the Chhattisgarh govt under the Other Backward Class category.Counsel for the petitioner, Aditya Chopra, submitted that Mohsin Ali was born in Chhattisgarh and had completed all formalities required for the permanent certificate. He pointed out that the revenue authorities had issued a temporary social status certificate to the minor on October 2, 2022, while his father already holds an OBC certificate identifying him as a member of the Darji community. The family land records also support the claim, he said.

Counsel for the state, Shobhit Mishra, did not oppose a limited direction for time-bound disposal and said the competent authority would decide the matter in accordance with law if the application remained pending.Justice Prasad directed the tehsildar to verify the claims and pass a reasoned order within 30 days of receiving a certified copy of the court’s directive. The court also ordered that the petitioner be given an opportunity of hearing before a decision is taken.