The Supreme Court has observed that documents from the pre-independence period hold stronger evidentiary value in caste claim verification compared to those issued after 1947. The court noted that such records, being closer to the time of origin, are less likely to be influenced by later changes or disputes over social status.

The bench explained that many caste claims today face scrutiny due to fraudulent certificates, making it necessary to rely on older, more authentic records. These documents, often maintained by colonial authorities or early local administrations, are considered more credible for establishing historical community identity.

This observation came during the hearing of an appeal related to the rejection of a caste claim. The court emphasised that authorities must assess all available records, but priority should be given to earlier documents to ensure fair and accurate decisions.