News Brief
Supreme Court Accepts CPI(M) MLA Raja’s Claim Of Being Hindu SC, Overturns Kerala HC Ruling That Identified Him As Christian
The Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court on Monday (6 May) set aside the Kerala High Court's judgment that had annulled the 2021 election of CPI(M) MLA A Raja from the Devikulam Assembly constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes, LiveLaw reported.
A bench comprising Justices AS Oka and Ahsanuddin Amanullah allowed Raja's appeal against the High Court’s 23 March 2023 order, which had declared his election void on the grounds that he was not a member of the ‘Hindu Parayan’ Scheduled Caste within Kerala.
“The impugned judgment rendered by the High Court is set aside and the election petition stands dismissed. The appellant is entitled to all consequential benefits as a member of the legislative assembly for the entire period,” Justice Amanullah pronounced.
The High Court had accepted the argument made by rival candidate D Kumar that Raja’s caste status was invalid, citing church records, including a baptism register and wedding photographs, to claim he had converted to Christianity.
However, during the hearings, the Supreme Court queried why Raja’s caste certificate had not been challenged before the High Court and expressed concern that the election was annulled without verifying its validity.
Raja had denied the conversion claims, stating that his father was given a Christian name due to a religious offering, not conversion. He further contended that his family remained Hindu, and the allegations regarding baptism and Christian marriage were false.
In April 2023, the apex court had stayed the High Court verdict, restricting Raja’s legislative participation. With this final ruling, he regains all rights and entitlements as an MLA.
