Grandfather’s ‘Koli’ entry can’t sink teen’s Scheduled Tribe claim: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has ruled that a 17-year-old Solapur student's claim of belonging to the "Koli Mahadev" Scheduled Tribe cannot be denied due to his grandfather's entry in school records. The court directed the Scheduled Tribe Scrutiny Committee to issue a "Koli Mahadev" Scheduled Tribe validity certificate within a week, rejecting the committee's earlier decision.

The committee had dismissed supporting school records on grounds the court deemed unacceptable. The court noted the student's family traditionally collected honey and forest produce, and dismissed the committee's reliance on a "Koli" entry in the grandfather's record. The court stated that the grandfather's "Koli" entry, made before the Constitution came into force, would have made a difference.