Tribal status issue: HC denies interim relief to Ajit Jogi

The Chhattisgarh High Court here today declined to stay the report of a high-powered committee which rejected former chief minister Ajit Jogi's claim of belonging to a tribal community.
The division bench of Chief Justice T B Radhakrishnan and Justice Sharad Kumar Gupta admitted Jogi's petition challenging the report for final hearing, but refused interim stay, his lawyer Shailendra Shukla said.
The committee formed by the state government on the Supreme Court's order to verify the authenticity of Jogi's tribal status had negated his claim of belonging to the tribalKanwar community on June 27, and recommended cancellation of his ST (scheduled tribe) certificate.

Bilaspur district administration then cancelled Jogi's ST certificate, following which he moved the HC.
During the hearing, advocate Rajendra Tiwari, who argued for Jogi, urged the court to quash the committee's recommendation, and asked for a stay till the court passes the order. The division bench, however, refused to stay the committee's report.
Advocate General J K Gilda, appearing for the state, opposed Jogi's plea.

Lawyers of BJP leaders Nand Kumar Sai, Sant Kumar Netam and Samira Paikra, who have filed caveats (applications saying that they should be heard whenever any case regarding the issue comes up), also argued today.

The court posted the matter for hearing on August 9.
Jogi, a formerCongressstalwart, had served as the first chief minister of Chhattisgarh from November 2000 to November 2003. He had been Congress MLA from the Marwahi seat, reserved for the ST category.
Last year he parted ways with the Congress and formed a new outfit.