In Brief
This landmark batch of appeals concerns the constitutional protection of reserved benefits in public employment and education. Individuals who obtained appointments or admissions claiming to belong to Scheduled Castes, Tribes, or other reserved categories had their caste certificates invalidated upon scrutiny. They sought court protection arguing equities of time and relying on prior Supreme Court decisions. The Court held: obtaining reserved benefits through a false caste certificate is constitutional fraud that harms genuine beneficiaries. The Maharashtra Caste Certificate Act, 2001 codifies the regime requiring withdrawal of civil benefits when a claim is invalidated—no dishonest intent is required for civil consequences. The Court overruled prior bench decisions that had protected such persons. Article 142 power cannot defeat statutory intent. Most appeals allowing protection were set aside; few were dismissed upholding terminations.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.