BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Minister Pratima Bagri has received a notice from a state-level scrutiny committee over a complaint related to her Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate, as per media reports. She has been asked to appear before the committee on 6 July and submit documents supporting the validity of her caste certificate.
The committee has asked Bagri to provide documents related to her family’s residence in Satna in 1950 and proof supporting her claim of belonging to the Bagri Scheduled Caste community.
The notice was issued by the Commissionerate of the Tribal Affairs Department after the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the scrutiny committee to examine the complaint and decide on the validity of the caste certificate within 60 days.
The High Court also directed the committee to hear all concerned parties and complete the verification process as per the law. It said the petitioner could seek further legal action if no decision is taken within the prescribed time.
As per media reports, the complaint alleges that Bagri wrongly obtained an SC certificate and used it to claim reservation benefits before contesting and winning an Assembly election from a reserved constituency. The petitioner has also questioned whether the Bagri community is recognised as a Scheduled Caste in the concerned area, citing official records and earlier scrutiny committee findings.
The scrutiny committee is examining the allegations. No final decision has been taken so far.
