Dalit Converts to Christianity Cannot Invoke SC/ST Act : AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court held that Dalit converts to Christianity cannot invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 

The Court held that once a person converts to Christianity, he stop being a member of the scheduled caste community.

The judge has quashed criminal proceedings against individuals accused of casteist abuse and assault on a pastor, stating the complainant had ceased to be a Scheduled Caste member upon conversion.

The Court emphasised that holding a caste certificate post-conversion does not guarantee SC/ST Act protection.

The court ruled that the complaint was false and the IPC offences were not substantiated.