New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- The Supreme Court has said it is prima facie of the view that the Assam government erred in law by issuing scheduled tribe certificates to members of the Sarania Kachari community, observing that such a move appeared contrary to settled legal principles.

"Prima facie, we find that the State could not have directed to issuance of the certificate to the persons belonging to the 'Sarania Kachari' Tribe under the head of 'Kachari Tribe'." said a bench of Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, in an order last week.

The court order further held: "We further are of the view that, prima facie, this would be contrary to the judgment of this Court in Action Committee on Issue on Caste Certifica...