Calcutta High Court Cancels 5 Lakh OBC Certificates Issued by West Bengal Government

In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court invalidated approximately 5 lakh Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued under a 2012 Act, dealing a severe blow to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal. The division bench of Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha declared the certificates illegal, emphasizing that the opinion of the Backward Classes Commission is generally binding on the state legislature under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded defiantly, rejecting the court’s decision at an election rally. She accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating the judiciary for political gains, asserting that OBC reservation would continue in the state despite the ruling. Banerjee highlighted that the OBC reservation Bill had been passed by the Assembly and criticized the BJP for allegedly using agencies to create electoral advantages.

The court clarified that its order would not impact individuals already in service or those who have benefited from the certificates. It directed the state’s Backward Classes Welfare Department, in consultation with the Backward Classes Commission, to submit a report to the legislature with recommendations for updating the state OBC list.

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