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A Supreme Court bench of Justices Vineet Saran and JK Maheshwari on Thursday indicated that they will hear the plea moved by Navneet Kaur Rana, an Independent MP from Amravati in July as it requires detailed consideration. Rana has challenged the Bombay High Court order canceling her caste certificate.

The High Court had held that Rana had contested in a reserved category seat in the 2019 elections by obtaining a false certificate of her being a person belonging to Mochi (Schedule Caste). The plea before Bombay High Court was moved by former Shiv Sena MP Anandra Vithoba Adsul.

The Bombay High Court had in June 2021 canceled Rana's caste certificate and held that all consequences in law, which may occur on cancellation and confiscation of the fraudulently obtained caste certificate would be taken against her. Court had further imposed a cost of Rs. 2 lakhs on Rana and had directed her to surrender the certificate. 

When the matter came up for hearing, the counsel for Rana informed the top court bench that Mukul Rohatgi, Sr. Adv, is appearing online as he has just recovered from Covid-19. Justice Vineet Saran asked the counsel if Rohatgi has recovered and can argue now. Rohatgi, who had by then been unmuted, informed the court that the matter will take some time to conclude as it requires detailed consideration. The counsel appearing for Adsul agreed to the same. 

Taking note of the submission, the bench adjourned the matter till July.  It is to be noted that Justice Vineet Saran is superannuating on Tuesday (May 10, 2022).

Case title: Navneet Kaur Rava Vs State of Maharashtra