Jogi moves Apex Court against scrutiny of his caste certificate

     New Delhi, October 31, 2011: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its order allowing the state government to examine the authenticity of his Scheduled Tribe status which is alleged to be based on fraudulent certificate.

     Since a scrutiny committee appointed by the state government had already verified his caste certificate, the Supreme Court had erred in passing the order, Jogi submitted.

     “The review petition is being preferred by him in view of the fact that the exercise of verification/scrutiny of his social status has already been undertaken and concluded by the duly appointed scrutiny committee of the state government, as far back as the year 2001,” the petition, filed through his lawyer Arjun Harkauli, reportedly said.

     In a blow to the senior Congress leader, the Supreme Court had on October 13 allowed the plea of the state government challenging the Chhattisgarh High Court order which had restrained it from holding an inquiry into his caste status.

     The state government had filed the special leave petition challenging the clean chit given to Jogi by the high court on December 15, 2006. Challenging the order, Jogi pleaded that instead of referring the matter to the state government, the apex court should appoint an independent committee to conduct verification of his caste certificate.

     “Appoint an independent committee to undertake scrutiny of the social status (tribal) certificates issued to the review petitioner showing him as belonging to ‘Kanwar’ Scheduled Tribe after giving due opportunity to him,” the petition reportedly said.