Authority: Supreme Court of India (Civil Appellate Jurisdiction)

Order Date: August 03, 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Appellant – Cynthia Julious Charlie (student); Respondents – The Vice Chancellor & others (Sant Gadge Baba Amaravati University and affiliated college).
  • Diary Numbers: 15601/2025 (appellant) and 15602/2025 (respondent) under Special Leave Petition (Civil).
  • Background: Charlie was admitted to a four‑year B.Pharm programme at Respondent No.2 college, affiliated to Sant Gadge Baba Amaravati University, in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category for the academic year 2014‑2015. She paid fees applicable to the open category after being informed of eligibility, completed the degree in 2018, and was issued a degree certificate.
  • On 31‑05‑2017 the Caste Scrutiny Committee rejected her caste certificate for lack of supporting documents, leading the college to withhold her 6th & 8th semester mark sheets and degree certificate.
  • Writ Petition No. 1610 of 2020 was filed in the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench and dismissed on 27‑06‑2022. The High Court held that Charlie failed to produce documents proving she belonged to the Gond ST and therefore her admission could not be converted to the open category.
  • The Principal of Respondent No.2 college issued a No‑Objection Certificate (Ref No. VBCP/601/2022) dated 06‑10‑2022, stating that Charlie had been admitted in the open category, paid all dues, and that her academic documents could be released.
  • Charlie served a legal notice on the university demanding release of the withheld documents.
  • A second writ petition, No. 4763 of 2024, was filed and dismissed on 07‑02‑2025. The High Court observed that the earlier petition had attained finality, the 06‑10‑2022 communication was later withdrawn on 14‑10‑2024, and that the Principal was not the authority who granted admission. It also held that paying open‑category fees did not entitle her to relief.
  • Aggrieved, Charlie filed Special Leave Petitions (SLP) before this Court, seeking reversal of the High Court orders.
  • Counsel for the appellant clarified that no compensation was claimed.
  • The Supreme Court referred to its earlier judgments in Ajay Dattatraya Bandewad vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (C.A. 6637/2025, SLP(C) No. 3926/2025 dated 13‑05‑2025) and Mrudula vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (SLP(C) No. 15902/2023 dated 13‑05‑2024) for guidance.

Final Outcome

  • The appeals are allowed and disposed of in accordance with the earlier Supreme Court orders cited above.
  • The first respondent‑University is directed to:

1. Announce the results of the 6th and 8th semester examinations taken by the appellant.

2. If she has qualified, issue the degree certificate.

3. Return all original testimonials/documents in its possession to the appellant.

  • The above actions must be completed within three weeks from the date the certified copy of this order is received.
  • The appellant is expressly prohibited from relying on any certificate indicating she belongs to the Scheduled Tribe category, which has been cancelled as invalid in law, for any future studies or public employment.
  • The appellant is also barred from seeking a fresh ST certificate.
  • All pending applications, if any, are stood disposed of.
  • The order was pronounced by Hon'ble Mrs. Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Manmohan.

Topics: Legal Dispute, Higher Education