Raipur, August 27: The Chhattisgarh government-appointed High Power Committee (HPC) rejected former chief minister Ajit Jogi’s claim of tribal status and revoked all his caste certificates. Along with this, the committee even withdrew all benefits that members of Scheduled Tribes are entitled.

Set upon the directions of High Court was headed by DD Singh -- secretary of the department of primitive caste -- the HPC concluded its probe on August 21. The committee report even directed the Bilaspur collector to take action under the provisions of Rule 23 (3) and 24 (1) of Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes (Regulation of Certification of Social Status) Rules, 2013. SC/ST Act Has Kept Casteism Alive, There Will Be No Untouchability if Act is Repealed, Says UP BJP MLA Surendra Singh.

The state police have also been directed to instructed to confiscate the certificates of former Chief Minister under the provisions of Rule 23 (5) of Rule 2013.

Meanwhile, Jogi's son -- Amit Jogi -- claimed that committee had not followed any rules and he would challenge the committee report in court. He said, as reported by Hindustan Times, "They have submitted empty papers to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh who has himself prepared the report. The committee has not followed the principle of justice. We will challenge the committee decision in the court. The CM is having a political vendetta against my father and me."

The high court-formed six members of the committee on June 27, 2017, had revoked all caste certificates of Ajit Jogi. But it was challenged on February 21, 2018, following which High Court directed the state government again to reconstitute the committee under the chairmanship of DD Singh.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2019 02:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).