In a significant development, Independent MP from Maharashtra’s Amravati, Navneet Kaur Rana, received major relief from the Supreme Court concerning her caste certificate issue. Previously, the Bombay High Court had nullified Rana’s caste certificate, casting a shadow over her eligibility to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. However, the Supreme Court’s recent verdict accepted Rana’s plea, thereby overturning the High Court’s decision. It’s noteworthy that Navneet Rana is contesting the current Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket.
The bench, consisting of Justices JK Maheshwari and Sanjay Karol, heard Navneet Rana’s petition and delivered the judgment, reinstating her caste certificate that had been revoked by the High Court. Rana had challenged the High Court’s decision to cancel her caste certificate in the Supreme Court. As an independent MP, she represents the Amravati constituency in Maharashtra, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes.
Bombay High Court’s Previous Decision
On June 8, 2021, the Bombay High Court had ruled that Navneet Rana obtained her caste certificate for the Mochi caste through fraudulent means, using forged documents. According to the court, records indicated that she belonged to the Sikh-Chamar caste. Furthermore, the High Court had imposed a fine of ₹2 lakhs on her. Now, with the Supreme Court reversing this decision, Navneet Rana, who is contesting as a BJP candidate, stands vindicated in the matter of her caste certificate.
