MP High Court Pushes For Swift Decision On Complaint Against MLA’s Scheduled Caste Certificate

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the State’s High Level Caste Scrutiny Committee to complete verification proceedings concerning the caste certificate of BJP MLA Pratima Bagri within sixty days, stressing the importance of a fair and time-bound scrutiny process.

The matter Pradeep Ahirwar v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others came before a Division Bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh in a petition filed by Congress leader Pradeep Ahirwar. Ahirwar had approached the Court alleging delay in deciding his complaint questioning the authenticity of the MLA’s Scheduled Caste certificate. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the complaint had already been filed on affidavit before the competent authority in March 2025, yet no conclusive action had followed. The plea before the High Court was limited to seeking a direction for proper verification after giving all parties an opportunity of hearing.

On behalf of the State, the Government Advocate informed the Bench that the High Level Caste Scrutiny Committee would summon the concerned MLA, examine the records as per the prescribed procedure, and determine whether the caste certificate issued in her favour was legally valid. Recording this assurance, the Court directed the Committee to conclude the exercise and pass an appropriate order within sixty days from the communication of the order. The Bench also protected the petitioner’s right to revive the writ proceedings if the authority fails to act within the stipulated timeline.

While the Court did not express any opinion on the merits of the allegations, the order reflects judicial emphasis on transparency and procedural accountability in caste verification disputes involving elected representatives.