LI Network
Published on: December 13, 2023 at 00:03 IST
In response to concerns raised over the rampant issuance of fraudulent caste certificates, the Calcutta High Court has taken a proactive stance by directing the Secretary of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, to initiate an inquiry.
The court has called for comprehensive verification of caste certificates issued in the recent past and has urged the formulation of a standardized State-level Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for District Magistrates (DMs) to communicate with relevant authorities.
Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating that the petitioner had brought to light a serious matter involving Scheduled Caste certificates being fraudulently granted by Subdivisional Officers (SDOs) to individuals from non-Scheduled Caste communities.
The National Commission of Scheduled Caste, Government of India, had already intervened and issued directives to state authorities, but the court noted that only one DM had taken substantial action.
The petitioner alleged that SDOs in various districts across West Bengal were engaged in the illicit practice of providing fake scheduled caste certificates to individuals not belonging to the designated community.
Despite the National Commission’s acknowledgment and the subsequent actions taken by the District Magistrate of Burdwan, the state government took a passive stance, prompting the court to assert that such issues should not be evaded by the state.
The court, considering the severity of the matter, directed a thorough investigation into caste certificates issued in the recent past, under the supervision of all district magistrates.
The Secretary of the Backward Classes Department was instructed to furnish a detailed report in court during the next hearing.
Furthermore, the court mandated the issuance of circulars cautioning all subdivisional officers that disciplinary and criminal proceedings would be initiated against those found guilty of issuing fake certificates.
Case: Paschim Banga Bouri Samaj Unnayan Samity vs State of West Bengal
