Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri received legal and political relief as the state’s High-Level Caste Scrutiny Committee upheld the validity of her Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate. The committee dismissed claims of forged documents supporting her certificate after a detailed inquiry ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Bagri, a BJP MLA from the reserved Raigaon Assembly constituency in Satna district, recently joined Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s Council of Ministers.
The scrutiny was triggered by a complaint from Congress leader Pradeep Ahirwar on March 31, 2025, alleging that Bagri obtained her SC certificate through forged documents to avail reservation benefits. Following a petition by Ahirwar, the High Court directed the committee to verify the certificate within 60 days. The committee reviewed reports from various authorities, heard both sides, and concluded that Bagri’s SC certificate was lawfully issued by the SDM office in Nagod.
Relying on historical revenue records dating back to 1916-17, the committee confirmed Bagri’s ancestral ties to the Bagri community in Satna district. School records also supported her caste status, showing her progression from “Pratima Singh” to “Pratima Singh Bagri.” Additionally, official records indicated Bagri received SC scholarships during her LL.B. course at Ramakrishna Law College in Satna. The committee’s decision, validating Bagri’s certificate, refuted allegations of forgery at the administrative level, subject to judicial review if challenged.
