In a significant decision dated April 30, 2025, the Andhra Pradesh High Court declared that the caste system does not exist in Christianity. Therefore, any person who has willingly converted to Christianity and practices it actively cannot claim to be a Scheduled Caste (SC) member. This person also cannot seek protection under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
"The caste system is alien to Christianity. Having converted to Christianity and admitting his role as a Pastor in a Church, the 2nd respondent could not invoke the provisions of the SC/ST Act," the Court said.
Justice Harinath N., while quashing the charges under the SC/ST Act against a man working as a Pastor, said that such protection is reserved only for individuals who genuinely belong to SC/ST communities by birth and faith.
Background of the Case
The case arose from a criminal petition involving a man accused of offenses under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act and Sections 341, 506, 323 read with 34 of the IPC. The complainant (Respondent 2) alleged that the petitioner had threatened and assaulted him and his family using caste-based abuse. He filed the case claiming SC protection.
However, it came to light that the complainant had been working as a Pastor for more than 10 years, regularly conducting prayers and practicing Christianity.
The petitioner argued that as per the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, no person who follows a religion other than Hinduism can be considered a Scheduled Caste. Hence, the FIR filed under the SC/ST Act was invalid.
Court’s Observations on Caste Certificate and Conversion
The respondent contended that he still possessed a valid Scheduled Caste certificate. However, the Court made it clear:
"Mere non-cancellation of the caste certificate by the authority to a person who has converted into Christianity cannot instill the protection granted under the Protective Legislation."
The judgment clarified that only the appropriate authority under Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Community Certificates Act, 1993, can deal with cancellation or validation of caste certificates. But legally, conversion to Christianity ends SC status.
The Court also reviewed witness statements and found inconsistencies. It stated that except for the complainant and one other witness, no one else confirmed the allegations of abuse and threats. Instead, several witnesses mentioned a public disagreement involving around 30 villagers but did not support the complainant’s version of events.
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"This Court is of the considered view that the registration of crime under the provisions of the SC/ST Act is illegal," the Court ruled.
The Court added that filing a charge sheet despite knowing the respondent was a Pastor for a decade was inappropriate. Hence, all charges under the SC/ST Act were quashed.
Case Number: CRIMINAL PETITION No.7114 OF 2022
Case Title: Akkala Rami Reddy v. The State of Andhra Pradesh
