CPIM(L) Moves Calcutta High Court Challenging WB Govt's 'Blanket Re-Verification' Of 1.69 Crore Caste Certificates

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Calcutta High Court by the Communist Party of India, (Marxist Leninist), Liberation, challenging a memorandum issued by the West Bengal Government directing a blanket re-verification of all Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) caste certificates issued in the State since 2011.

The petition assails the Memorandum dated May 14, 2026, issued by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, contending that it affects nearly 1.69 crore caste certificates and unlawfully seeks to link caste verification with the deletion of names from electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

According to the petitioners, the impugned memorandum has no statutory backing and is contrary to the provisions of the West Bengal Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Identification) Act, 1994. They argue that the State cannot indiscriminately reopen caste certificates that were validly issued without any allegation of fraud, misrepresentation or any individual inquiry.

The plea further contends that the memorandum illegally conflates two distinct legal regimes by linking caste status with electoral roll status. While caste certificates are governed by the statutory framework under the 1994 Act, inclusion or deletion of names in electoral rolls is regulated by election laws and cannot be made contingent upon caste verification, the petition states.

The petitioners submit that the impugned action is arbitrary, violative of Articles 14, 15(4), 16(4) and 21 of the Constitution, and contrary to the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Kumari Madhuri Patil v. Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development (1994), which prescribes the procedure for verification and cancellation of caste certificates.

It is further stated that the re-verification process has already commenced across the State. Although the petitioners submitted a representation to the authorities on June 4, 2026, seeking withdrawal of the memorandum, no relief has been granted.

The petition therefore seeks quashing of the May 14 memorandum and interim protection against any coercive action pursuant to the re-verification exercise pending adjudication of the matter.

Case: Communist Party of India, (Marxist Leninist), Liberation West Bengal State Committee & Anr. Versus The State of West Bengal & Anr.

Case No: WPA(P) 300 of 2026