Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Thane Committee Validates KDMC Corporator Tejashree Gaikwad's Mahar Caste Claim
A committee checked whether Tejashree Gaikwad could officially claim a reserved caste status.
The committee examined the documents she submitted.
It decided that her claim of belonging to the Mahar Scheduled Caste was valid.
Gaikwad is a corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
She had applied for the validity certificate on December 18, 2025.
Her original caste certificate was issued in 2021.
Gaikwad thanked the people who supported her.
She said the decision was also a step toward social justice.
The decision remains subject to any legal remedies allowed by law.
The Thane District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee validated Tejashree Hemant Gaikwad’s claim of belonging to the Mahar Scheduled Caste.
Gaikwad, formerly known as Tejashree Shyam Sonawane, is a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation corporator.
She applied for caste validity on December 18, 2025, and the committee decided the matter at a meeting held on September 11.
Her caste certificate was issued by the Kalyan Sub-Divisional Officer on April 12, 2021, under certificate number 1865/2021.
Gaikwad called the decision a victory for social justice and thanked supporters and voters for their trust.
- Who
- Tejashree Hemant Gaikwad, formerly known as Tejashree Shyam Sonawane, and the Thane District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee.
- What
- The committee validated Gaikwad’s claim that she belongs to the Mahar Scheduled Caste and issued a caste validity certificate.
- When
- Gaikwad applied on December 18, 2025; the committee made its decision at a meeting held on September 11, with the year of that meeting not stated.
- Where
- The scrutiny was conducted by the Thane District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee concerning Gaikwad’s Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation seat.
- Why
- The committee reviewed documents submitted by Gaikwad amid questions about her eligibility for a reserved seat.
- Applicant
- Tejashree Hemant Gaikwad, formerly Tejashree Shyam Sonawane
- Caste claim
- Mahar Scheduled Caste
- Scrutiny authority
- Thane District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee
- Application date
- December 18, 2025
- Original certificate
- Issued by the Kalyan Sub-Divisional Officer on April 12, 2021
- Certificate number
- 1865/2021
- Status
- Caste validity certificate issued after document scrutiny