#Scheduled Areas

Supreme Court set aside a Telangana High Court order, ruling that the Andhra Pradesh Civil Courts Act, 1972 still governs partition suits between non-tribal parties in scheduled areas. Ordinary civil courts therefore retain jurisdiction, with the Act’s special provisions applying only to tribal matters. The decision guides litigants and lawyers handling property partitions in scheduled zones of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) quashed an Education Officer's order rejecting a Scheduled Tribe candidate's appointment as Shikshan Sevak, ruling that compliance with the Pavitra Portal is not mandatory for Scheduled Area appointments if roster verification is sufficient. The judgment clarifies that Government Resolutions mandating portal compliance do not override constitutional reservation safeguards in Scheduled Areas.

Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench reinforces tribal autonomy under the PESA Act, 1996, ruling that Gram Sabha consultation is non-negotiable before minor mineral auctions in Scheduled Areas. The judgment directs Maharashtra to align its auction policy with PESA provisions, impacting mineral governance and tribal rights enforcement across Fifth Schedule regions.