Court annuls ZP member's caste certificate

Complainant K J Dundappa demands ZP membership suspension and withdrawal of facilities provided under ST quota. 

The Madikeri AC Court has annulled the caste certificate (Marata, ST) of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Member S N Rajarao. 

Based on the report submitted by Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate Additional Director General of Police, AC Abhiram G Shankar has passed the order suspending the caste certificate on May 17. The copy of the order is with the Deccan Herald. Questioning the caste certificate produced by Rajarao, Meda/Gauriga Kshemabhivridi Sangha President K J Dundappa had approached the court and had urged to suspend the membership of Rajarao. 

Bhagamandala constituency was reserved for ST during ZP election in 2010. The BJP had fielded Rajarao. K J Dundappa from Meda/Gauriga community was his opponent. During the election Rajarao had submitted a caste certificate stating that he belongs to Marata community in Kodagu. Objecting to the caste certificate, Dundappa had claimed that Marata community comes under ST in Kodagu. Maharashtra Kshatriya community comes under 3B category. Inspite of belonging to Maharashtra Kshatriya community, Rajarao had submitted a false caste certificate.

Following the writ in the High Court, the court had directed the Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate Additional Director General of Police to probe into it. Based on the report, the court had directed the committe under Deputy Commissioner to look into the issue. Following the direction, Mysore ADGP had visited the district and submitted a report on May 17. 

Nine years of fight

Complainant K J Dundappa said “my son Suresh had contested from Koodige ZP constituency in 2005. Rajarao had contested as a Congress candidate. (From 2010, Rajarao is in BJP). He had submitted ST caste certificate. I have been fighting since then. Criminal case should be filed for submitting false caste certificate. The facilities enjoyed in the name of ST should be withdrawn and ZP membership should be suspended.”