Sub-classification of SCs by states valid, rules top court

A seven-judge Supreme Court bench in a landmark ruling on Thursday empowered states to sub-classify groups within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/STs) to uplift the more socially and economically backward among them for reservation benefits.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY

The majority 6:1 verdict set aside a 2004 judgment by a five-judge bench in the E V Chinnaiah case, which had held that sub-classification was not permissible because SC/STS form homogenous classes.

But the 6:1 ruling said the SCs are heterogeneous. However, sub-classification can be done only on the basis of quantifiable and demonstrable data of backwardness and representation in government jobs and not on whims or political expediency, the bench said.