In a landmark ruling reinforcing the integrity of India’s anti-atrocities laws, the Allahabad High Court has held that a person’s caste, determined at birth, remains unchanged even if they marry into another community or convert to a different religion.
The Allahabad High Court judgment came while hearing a criminal appeal filed by Dinesh and eight others, who had challenged their summons for trial under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act).
Background of the Case
The case originated from an incident at Police Station Khair, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, involving a woman from West Bengal, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste by birth. She filed a criminal complaint alleging that the nine accused had assaulted her and two others, using casteist slurs and causing injuries.
The Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Aligarh, had summoned them to face trial on July 27, 2022, under Sections 323, 506, 452, 354 IPC, and Section 3(1)(R) of the SC/ST Act, which addresses intentional insult and intimidation of SC/ST members.
The accused contested the summons, claiming that the woman lost her SC status after marrying a man from the Jat community, and argued that the complaint was a counterblast to a prior FIR they had lodged against her family.
Court’s Analysis
The Allahabad High Court bench, led by Justice Anil Kumar, dismissed the appeal, emphasizing several key points:
Caste is immutable by birth: “Though a person may change religion, his or her caste remains the same despite conversion to another religion. Hence, marriage does not change a person’s caste. Therefore, the said contention is unsustainable.”
Cross-cases do not nullify complaints: The existence of a prior FIR or simultaneous incidents does not automatically invalidate the complaint filed by the opposing party. The trial court had duly considered witness statements and injury reports before summoning the accused.
Protections under the SC/ST Act remain intact: The ruling ensures that caste-based protections, particularly against assault, intimidation, or discrimination, cannot be circumvented through marriage or religious conversion.
Outcome
The appeal was dismissed on February 10, 2026, and the criminal trial against the accused is set to proceed. The decision clarifies that a person’s caste identity for the purpose of legal protection under the SC/ST Act is fixed at birth, thereby preventing attempts to evade liability through personal life changes.
Legal Significance
Legal analysts note that while the ruling reinforces anti-discrimination protections, it does not affect reservation policies in education and employment, which remain subject to separate eligibility rules. The decision is expected to deter similar challenges, ensuring consistent enforcement of the SC/ST Act and safeguarding victims of caste-based atrocities.
This judgment highlights the commitment of Allahabad High Court to upholding the SC/ST Act, protecting the rights of marginalized communities, and maintaining the principle that caste identity is an inherent attribute, unaffected by marriage or religious conversion.