Former Mumbai Mayor Vishakha Raut's OBC certificate cancelled, BMC post at risk

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator and former Mumbai mayor Vishakha Raut’s position in the BMC House is under threat after the Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee invalidated the OBC certificate she used to contest the civic election from an OBC-reserved seat.OBC CERTIFICATE INVALIDATEDThe Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee on Friday cancelled Raut’s OBC certificate following a complaint challenging its validity.Raut had contested the BMC election from Ward 191 in Dadar on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket. The ward was reserved for women belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. She had submitted the caste certificate to establish her eligibility to contest from the reserved seat.A copy of the committee’s order is expected to reach the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters by Monday. Following this, the civic administration is likely to formally announce the cancellation of Raut’s corporator post in the municipal House. RAUT ALLEGES POLITICAL PRESSURERaut has alleged that the decision was taken under political pressure from the Shiv Sena.She has maintained that she belongs to the OBC category and said her family’s ancestral village is in Palghar district. The committee’s order could now have a direct bearing on Raut’s continuation as a corporator, as her election was contested from a seat specifically reserved for OBC women.- EndsPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 23:43 IST