Burden of Proof.

Where an application is made to the competent authority under section 3 for the issue of a community certificate in respect of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Backward Classes or in any enquiry conducted by the competent authority or the authority empowered to cancel the community certificate or the appellate authority under this Act or in any trial or offence under this Act, the burden of proving that he belongs to such Caste, Tribe or Class shall be on the claimant.