A seven-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court today okayed sub-classification within Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories to provide reservation in jobs and education for the more marginalised among backward communities.
The landmark verdict was passed by the bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud by a 6:1 majority, with Justice Bela Trivedi dissenting. Six separate judgments were written. The verdict overrules the 2004 judgment of a five-judge Constitution bench in the case of EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh.
The top court ruled that Scheduled Castes are not a homogenous group and state governments can sub-classify them to give more weightage in 15 per cent reservation to communities that suffered more discrimination among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
During the hearing, the Centre had told the court that it in favour of sub-classification in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories.
With inputs from NDTV
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