Court’s decision:

A Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan observed that it found no reason to revisit its earlier ruling after examining the review petition.

“We have gone through the Review Petition and perused the judgment dated 24.03.2026 which has been sought to be reviewed. There is no error apparent on the record,” the Bench said.

No oral hearing:

The Court also dismissed the petitioner’s request for an oral hearing.

Earlier ruling:

In its March 2026 judgment, the Supreme Court had ruled that a person who converts to Christianity or any religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism immediately ceases to enjoy Scheduled Caste status.

All conditions needed:

However, the Court clarified that such a person may get back Scheduled Caste status after reconverting to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism, but only if all three conditions below are met:

The Court prescribed the following requirements:

• The individual must prove that they were originally born into a caste recognised as a Scheduled Caste;

• They must establish a bona fide reconversion to Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism and demonstrate complete renunciation of the previously adopted religion; and

• They must show that they have been accepted back by members of their original caste community.

The Court further clarified that if even one of these conditions is not met, the claim to restore Scheduled Caste status cannot succeed.

How the case began:

The matter originated from an incident involving a man from Andhra Pradesh who was born into a Scheduled Caste but later converted to Christianity and became a pastor. He had lodged an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alleging that he was abused by his caste name and criminally intimidated.

High Court ruling:

The accused persons subsequently approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which quashed the FIR after concluding that the complainant, having embraced Christianity, was no longer entitled to claim Scheduled Caste status under the law.

Appeal to Supreme Court:

Aggrieved by the High Court’s decision, the complainant filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.

SC/ST Act protection:

In its March 2026 verdict, the Supreme Court affirmed the High Court’s ruling, holding that a person professing Christianity cannot seek protection under the SC/ST Act, as Scheduled Caste status is constitutionally recognised only for persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.

Court’s finding:

“Therefore, we are of the view that the High Court was right in holding that the appellant has ceased to be a member of the Scheduled Caste on his conversion to Christianity. Accordingly, the appellant cannot be a person aggrieved under the SC/ST Act”

The Court nevertheless clarified that an individual who subsequently reconverts to any of these three religions may reclaim Scheduled Caste status, but only upon fulfilling all three conditions specified in the judgment.

Judgment remains:

Accordingly, with the dismissal of the review petition, the Supreme Court’s March 2026 judgment continues to remain in force.

Case Details: Chintada Anand vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors. (Criminal Appeal No. 1580/2026)