http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Fresh_setback_for_Jogi_over_his_ST_status/articleshow/1911486.cms
Fresh setback for Jogi over his ST status Subodh Ghildiyal [ 15 Apr, 2007 0037hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ] NEW DELHI: He may have clawed back to the Chhattisgarh centrestage by first getting his wife elected to the assembly and then leading the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha win, but former CM Ajit Jogi may be in for a fresh setback over the question of genuineness of his ST status. In what may appear to be a concerted move, the BJP-controlled state government, the administration of Bilaspur and the original complainant Sant Kumar Netam have approa-ched the SC to challenge the verdict of the HC upturning the ruling of National Commission for SC/STs that Jogi's claim to be a tribal was not correct. The coordinated move comes after Centre decided to sit over a request by National Commission for STs to move the SC against the High Court's reprieve for Jogi. The challenge to the HC order is seen as important because it is sure to have, besides defining the powers of the SC/ST commission, a bearing on Jogi's career. The former CM appeared to be riding high till a defeat combined with allegations concerning the murder of a political rival, horse trading and personal misfortunes grounded him. The HC, on Jogi's petition, had ruled that it had no jurisdiction to decide on the caste status and certificate of an individual, while scrapping the inquiry of the national panel. Commission insiders say they are the worst affected by the HC order. If it stays, it would scrap their power of investigations and of civil court given in Article 338. Around 800 similar inquiries about caste certificates are pending before the commission. When asked, Jogi said, "I don't know about the SLP. But the case has been decided by Indore, Jabalpur and Bilaspur high courts. These people have no respect for the judiciary. But I am glad it will be decided one final time." The case pertains to the vexed issue of Jogi's claim as a Kanwar tribal. The national panel ruled in 2001 that Jogi was fraudulently claiming to be a "Kanwar" and winning elections from reserved ST seats. His ancestors belonged to Satnami caste but he was not eligible for those benefits as they had converted to Christianity.
