The Kerala High Court directed the newly impleaded Secretary of the Backward Classes Development Department to file an affidavit disclosing the steps taken so far for conducting the socio-economic caste survey. The order was passed in contempt proceedings on September 28, 2026, after the Court considered the affidavit filed by the Director of the Backward Classes Development Department.
The proceedings arose in Con. Case (C) No. 2097 of 2026. During the hearing, the Director, Backward Classes Development Department, Government of Kerala, appeared personally before the Bench and filed an affidavit.
The Director stated that he is the head of the Directorate and is entrusted with implementing government schemes and programmes concerning the educational, social and economic advancement of backward classes. He further stated that decisions on conducting a socio-economic or caste survey, using the data received from it, and revising the State list of Other Backward Classes are taken by the Government in the Backward Classes Development Department, in consultation with the Commission where required under Section 11(2) of the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
The Court noted that the earlier judgment had directed the Union and State Governments to finalise the report and submit it to the Commission, which would thereafter evaluate it and make recommendations to the State Government.
The Bench found it necessary to bring the Secretary of the Backward Classes Development Department into the proceedings. The Court therefore allowed the application seeking impleadment of the Secretary as an additional respondent.
The Court directed the newly added respondent to file an affidavit setting out the steps taken so far for conducting the socio-economic caste survey.
The order states:
“The added respondent shall file an affidavit disclosing the steps so far taken for conducting the socio-economic caste survey, within a period of four weeks from today, upon prior service of a copy thereof on the learned counsel for the petitioner and the other appearing respondents within a period of four weeks from date.”
The Court also took note of a Telangana Government order concerning a comprehensive door-to-door household survey covering socio-economic, educational, employment, political and caste-related aspects. The Bench requested the Additional Advocate General to examine that order and consider whether a similar order was required for implementing the Court’s directions.
The Kerala High Court allowed I.A. No. 2 of 2026 and impleaded Dr. Veena N. Madhavan, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Backward Classes Development, as an additional respondent. She was directed to file the required affidavit within four weeks. The matter was ordered to be listed on November 5, 2026, while the personal appearance of the second respondent was dispensed with for the time being.
Case Title: Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust v. Shri. Jatin Chopra & Others
Case Number: Con. Case (C) No. 2097 of 2026
Judges: Justice Soumen Sen, Chief Justice and Justice Syam Kumar V.M.
Decision Date: September 28, 2026
