In Brief
This case addresses whether the 'Kuli' community qualifies as the 'Kulis' tribe listed in the Scheduled Tribes order. The State argued that since the notified tribe is 'Kulis' (not 'Kuli'), the community cannot claim Scheduled Tribe status. The Court held that while it cannot modify official lists, it must interpret them consistently with Parliament's intent. Finding no separate 'Kulis' tribe exists in Odisha—only the 'Kuli' community—the Court concluded 'Kulis' was meant as a plural form of 'Kuli'. Excluding 'Kuli' would effectively delete the tribe from the list, which no court can do. The appeals were dismissed, upholding the 'Kuli' community's Scheduled Tribe status.
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