HC directs DM to reconsider caste certificate of SP MP

Allahabad, Dec 21 (UNI) The Allahabad High Court today directed the District Magistrate, Sant Kabirnagar to re-consider the Scheduled Caste certificate issued in favour of Samajwadi Party MP Shankh Lal Manjhi.

The SP MP was declared 'Majhwar' in a caste certificate issued by the Tehsildar. He is party MP from Akbarpur reserved parliamentary seat.

One Lalmani Prasad had challenged the validity of caste certificate issued by the Tehsildar. The Collector on June 30, 2005 had passed an order on the High Court's direction that a person of 'Gondia' caste might be considered a 'Majhwar'.

However, the petitioner's counsel S G Hasnain had submitted that the SP MP is of 'Gondia' caste and therefore, he cannot be a 'Majhwar'.

On the other hand, the plea of the Advocate General, S M A Kazmi was that 'Gondia' is not a caste, but only a title or surname.

The Court quashed the order of District Magistrate so that there would be no obstacle in deciding the matter.

The Court has clarified that the veracity of an old Tesildar's certificate of 1993 in favour of the SP MP would also depend on the final order of the District Magistrate.

UBNI XC-JL ATI YA GC2015