Name of the Court
Supreme Court of India
All Citations of the Case
AIR 1995 SC 1260 : (1994) 4 JT 423 : (1994) 3 SCALE 358 : (1994) 5 SCC 244 : (1994) 1 SCR 714 Supp
[Judgment Source] https://www.courtkutchehry.com/Judgement/Search/AdvancedV2?docid=296708
Facts of the Case
The petition addressed whether a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste/Tribe in one state (State A) is entitled to claim the same privileges in another state (State B) if the same caste/tribe is recognized there. The petitioner alleged that Maharashtra denied benefits to SC/ST members from other states unless they were permanent residents as of specific dates tied to Presidential Orders. This denial was based on circulars and interpretations by Maharashtra and the Union Government, raising the issue of constitutional validity and rights of inter-state migrant SC/ST individuals.
Law Points Raised
- Whether SC/ST status is state-specific as per Articles 341 and 342.
- Whether a Scheduled Caste/Tribe person retains their status after migrating to another state.
- Whether the denial of privileges to inter-state migrants violates Articles 14, 15, 16, and 19 of the Constitution.
- Interpretation of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
- Validity of Government circulars denying benefits based on date and residency.
Acts/Provisions/Articles Referred
- Constitution of India, 1950 — Articles 14, 15(1), 16(2), 19, 19(1), 330, 332, 335, 338, 341, 342
- Representation of the People Act, 1950 — Section 2
- Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950
- Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976
Judgements Referred
No specific prior Supreme Court judgments were cited, but extensive reliance was placed on constitutional interpretation, government circulars, and reports.
Obiter Dicta
The classification of SC/ST status is tied to the state and cannot be transferred automatically by migration. The President’s power under Articles 341 and 342 is state-specific, and benefits are applicable only within that defined context.
Ratio Decidendi
Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe status is state-specific. A person belonging to a Scheduled Caste/Tribe in State A cannot claim the same benefits in State B unless explicitly recognized by Presidential Order in relation to State B.
Final Ruling
The writ petition was dismissed. The Supreme Court upheld the interpretation that SC/ST status is linked to the state of origin and does not automatically transfer on migration. Only persons belonging to a caste/tribe specified in the Presidential Order for a particular state are entitled to the benefits in that state.