# Jitendra Sahani v. State Of U.P. & Anr

- **Citation:** (2025) 11 ILRA 6
- **Court:** High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
- **Decided:** 2025-11-21
- **Case number:** Application U/S 482 No. 41457 of 2024
- **Bench:** Praveen Kumar Giri
- **Source:** https://unisonlegal.in/judgment/allahabad-high-court/jitendra-sahani-v-state-of-u-p-anr-52879
- **Pages:** 9

## Headnote

Summoning Order dated 24.07.2024 passed by
Learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate/Civil
Judge (Senior Division), Maharajganj

Headnotes
Indian Penal Code, 1860-sec. 153-A, 295A -Applicant has obtained prior permission to
preach words of Jesus Christ to public at large
on his own land- permission order withdrawn-
the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Maharajganj has
passed order mentioning therein that the
applicant has installed a tent (pandaal) at public
place- he is used to organize prayer meeting of
Jesus Christ amongst large number of people
and tried to convince them about accepting
Christianity- because of that there is breach of
law and order- thereafter an FIR has been
lodged-
chargesheet
-contended
that
the
witnesses have not supported the prosecution
version- admitted fact that statement of a
witness recorded under section 161 Cr.P.C. is not
an evidence-Court cannot conduct trial -open to
the applicant to move a discharge application.
Application dismissed. (E-9)

Case Law Cited

## Text

6 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
(2025) 11 ILRA 6
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL SIDE
DATED: ALLAHABAD 21.11.2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE PRAVEEN KUMAR GIRI, J.

Application U/S 482 No. 41457 of 2024

Jitendra Sahani ...Applicant
Versus
State Of U.P. & Anr. ...Opposite Parties

Counsel for the Applicant:
Patsy David, Vandana Henry

Counsel for the Opposite Parties:
G.A.

Issue for consideration
Matter pertains to legality of Cognizance/
Summoning Order dated 24.07.2024 passed by
Learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate/Civil
Judge (Senior Division), Maharajganj

Headnotes
Indian Penal Code, 1860-sec. 153-A, 295A -Applicant has obtained prior permission to
preach words of Jesus Christ to public at large
on his own land- permission order withdrawn-
the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Maharajganj has
passed order mentioning therein that the
applicant has installed a tent (pandaal) at public
place- he is used to organize prayer meeting of
Jesus Christ amongst large number of people
and tried to convince them about accepting
Christianity- because of that there is breach of
law and order- thereafter an FIR has been
lodged-
chargesheet
-contended
that
the
witnesses have not supported the prosecution
version- admitted fact that statement of a
witness recorded under section 161 Cr.P.C. is not
an evidence-Court cannot conduct trial -open to
the applicant to move a discharge application.
Application dismissed. (E-9)

Case Law Cited
1. Soosai and others v. Union of India (UOI) and
others, AIR 1986 SC 733
2. C. Selvarani v. Special Secretary-cumDistrict
Collector and Others, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 3470
3. Akkala Rami Reddy and Others v. State of
Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Public, 2025 SCC
OnLine AP 1685

List of Acts
1. Indian Penal Code, 1860
2. Hindu Succession Act, 1956
3. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

List of Keywords
Breach of law and order, discharge application

Appearances of parties
Counsel for Applicant : Patsy David, Vandana
Henry Counsel for Respondents : Government
Advocate

(Delivered by Hon'ble Praveen Kumar
Giri, J.)

1. Learned counsel for the applicant
submits that he has filed the instant
application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. with
the relief which has been mentioned in the
prayer clause of the application.

2.
The
relief
which
has
been
mentioned in the application is delineated
below:-

"It is, therefore most respectfully
prayed that this Hon'ble court may kindly
be pleased to allow this application and
quash the entire proceeding including the
impugned Charge Sheet dated 11.03.2024
as well as Cognizance/ Summoning Order
dated 24.07.2024 passed by Learned
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate/Civil
Judge (Senior Division), Maharajganj in
Case No. 13312 of 2024 (State Versus
Jitendra Sahani) arising out of Case Crime
No. 320 of 2023, Under Sections 153-A,
295-A of I.P.C., Police Station Sinduriya,
District-5 Maharajganj, pending in the
11 All. Jitendra Sahani Vs. State of U.P. & Anr.
7
Court of Learned Additional Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Maharaigani.

It is further prayed that this
Hon'ble Court graciously be pleased to
stay the further proceeding of Case No.
13312 of 2024 (State Versus Jitendra
Sahani) arising out of Case Crime No. 320
of 2023, Under Sections 153-A, 295-A of
I.P.C., Police Station-Sinduriya, District-
Maharajganj, pending in the Court of
Learned
Additional
Chief
Judicial
Magistrate,
Maharajganj,
during
the
pendency of the present application before
this Hon'ble Court, otherwise the applicant
shall suffer an irreparable loss and injury,
And/or to pass such other further order or
direction which this Hon'ble court may
deem fit and proper in the circumstances of
the case."

3. Ms. Vandana Henry and Patsy
David, learned counsel for the applicant
submit that the applicant has obtained prior
permission/order
from
Sub
Divisional
Magistrate, Maharajganj to preach words of
Jesus Christ to public at large on his own
land by moving an application. The
application dated 03.04.2023 is reproduced
below :

सेवा में,

श्रीमान, जिलाजिकारी महोदय,

जवषयः- प्रार्थना स्र्ल पर अवरोि उत्पन्न करके पाठ
बन्द करने के सम्बन्ि में एवं िगत ज्योजत चेरीटेबल (ट्रस्ट) के
माध्यम से संत्संग करने के सम्बन्ि में।

श्रीमान िी,

जनवेदन है जक प्रार्ी जितेन्र साहानी पुत्र लल्लन
साहानी ग्राम मर्जनया पोस्ट लक्ष्मीपुर एकडंगा तहसील सदर र्ाना
जसन्दुररया जिला महारािगंि का जनवासी ह ूँ। भारतीय संजविान द्वारा
प्रवत्तव मौजलक अजिकारों एवं भारतीय कानून का पालन करते हुय
प्रार्ी प्रार्थना कायथ प्रजत रजववार और बुिवार को अपनी जनिी िगीन
में कुछ समय से जबना जकसी भेद भाव से चल रहा है।

पर जबते कुछ समय से पुजलस प्रशासन एवं कुछ
अरािक तत्वो के द्वारा प्रार्थना व पुिा पाठ बन्द करा जदया गया और
पुजलस प्रशासन तर्ा कुछ अरािक तत्व के द्वारा प्रार्थना एवं पुिा
पाठ बन्द करा जवद्या गर्ा पूवथ प्रशासन द्वारा एवं अरािक तत्वो द्वारा
िमकी जदया गया जक प्रार्थना सभा भत चलाना नही तो सभी लोगो
को िेल में डाल जदया िायेगा

इस प्रकार जनदान्त आवश्यक है जक प्रार्थना सभा में
सैकडो यीशु भक्तगण सभी समुदाय से आते है एवं आपस में प्रेम
अखण्डता और एकता के प्रजतबन िाते है। इस प्रार्थना सभा में
प्रशासन द्वारा जबना जकसी जलजखए। प्रार्थना पत्र के जवবল ভালা
জাপা यीशु भाक्तो को दुःखी कर रहा है। प्रशासन द्वारा समाि के
जविनकारी असामाजिक तत्वो के सार् जमलकर इस तरह का शाजन्त
भंग का कायथ हो रहा है उसे बन्द कराने का तत्काल आदेश िारी
जकया िाय ताजक पुजलस प्रशासन के ऊपर लोगो को जवश्वास बना रहे
एवं शाजन्त कायम रहे

प्रशासन से जनवेदन है जक मौके पर िाूँच करायी िाय
वहा पर कोई िमथ पररवथतन का काम नही होता है न ही िमथ के
जवरोि में जसखाया िाता है शाजन्त का संदेश जसखते है इसके पूवथ में
श्रीमान उपजिलाजिकारी महोदय िी को घटना अवगत कराते हुये
ताजक जकसी प्रकार की सत्यसंग में कोई बािा उत्पन्न न हो जदनांक17.10.2022 को प्रार्थना पत्र जदया परन्तु कोई कायथवाही नही
हुयी।

Jitendra Sahani

4. She further submits that after
withdrawing
permission
order
dated
03.05.2023, the Sub Divisional Magistrate,
Maharajganj has passed order dated
10.12.2023 mentioning therein that the
applicant has installed a tent (pandaal) at
Baluahi Dhus Chauraha i.e. public place,
where he is used to organize prayer
meeting of Jesus Christ amongst large
number of people and tried to convince
them about accepting christianity because
of that there is breach of law and order.
Order dated 10.12.2023 is being quoted
below for ready reference :
8 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES

5. The counsel further submits that
thereafter an FIR has been lodged against
the applicant as Case Crime No.320 of
2023 under section 153-A, 295-A IPC. The
counsel
further
submits
that
after
conducting investigation, chargesheet has
been submitted under the same sections
whereas the witnesses have not supported
the prosecution version as contained in the
FIR.

6. Per contra, Sri Pankaj Tripathi,
learned
Additional
Government
Advocate submits that as per Section
196(1) Cr.P.C., the Government of
U.P.
has
granted
sanction
vide
Government Order dated 11.03.2024
being U.P. Shashan 1/515834/2024 File
No.614099/367/2024()
1448
U.P.
Shashan Grih (Police) Anibhag 14
Sankhya 591 E.O. 0/6 Pol.142403
Abhi./24 Lucknow to proceed in the
matter and same has been transcribed in
the case diary as Parcha no.C.D.13.
Learned A.G.A. further submits that
witness Buddhiram Yadav has also
supported the version of FIR and
witness Lakshman Vishwakarma s/o
Sukai in his statement recorded under
section 161 Cr.P.C. as transcribed in
Parcha no.8 dated 10.12.2023 has given
statement against the accused applicant
that earlier the applicant was Hindu
and now he is Padri (Priest) of
Christian community and also made an
allegation that on allurement to poor
people, he wants to convert the persons
of hindu religion as christians. The
witness has further alleged that the
applicant accused used filthy, abusive
and
absurd
language
about
hindu
deities. All these things have been
transcribed in his statement. Statement
of Lakshman Vishwakarma is being
quoted below :-

"बयान गवाह श्री लक्षन जवश्वकमाथ पुत्र सुकई
जनवासी मर्जनया र्ाना जसन्दुररया िनपद महरािगंि उम्र करीब
53 वषथ पूछताछ पर बता रहे है जक मैं ग्राम मर्जनया का रहने
वाला ह ूँ तर्ा मेरा घर जितेन्र साहनी के खेत के पास बलुवही
िुस चौराहे के बगल में जस्र्त है, साहब मै जहन्दू िमथ मानने
वाला सनातनी व्यजक्त ह ूँ। मेरे ही गाूँव का जितेन्र साहनी िो जक
पहले जहन्दू िमथ को मानता र्ा िाजत से केवट जबरादरी का है।
बाद मे ईसाई धमम अपनाकर पादरी बन गया है। बलुवही
िुस चौराहे के बगल मे अपने खेत मे करीब डेढ़ वषथ पूवथ से
11 All. Jitendra Sahani Vs. State of U.P. & Anr.
9
ईसाई िमथ के प्रार्थना सभा की आड़ मे कायथक्रम करता है।
िहाूँ पर जहन्दू िमथ के देवीदेवताओ के बारे मे अपने
भाषण से अपमाजनत करने का काम करता है। अपने
भाषण में उसके द्वारा यह भी कहा िाता है, जक जहन्दू िमथ
को आप लोग सजदयो से मानते रहे है। इसमे कई हिार
देवीदेवता है जकसी के आठ हार् है जकसी के चार हार्
जकसी के पाूँच मुख मुख है जकसी के मुख में सूड़ सूड़ ल
लगा है। जकसी को पूिा पाठ मे कोई चीि चाजहये जकसी
देवता को कोई चीि चाजहये जकसी को मुगे का भोग कोई
चूहे की सवारी करता है तो कोई मोर की कोई पानी में
रहता है तो कोई पेड़ पर, कोई भाूँग पीता है तो कोई
गाूँिा पीता है यह कहकर जखल्ली उडाता है। तर्ा जहन्दू
िमथ के मानने वाले तर्ा उनके िाजमथक जवश्वासो का तर्ा
जहन्दू िमथ के देवीदेवताओ का अपमान िमथ भाषा के
आिार पर करता है। मुझसे भी कई बार वह इस तरह की
बात जकया है, जक आप लोग जहन्दू िमथ के चक्कर मे पड़े
है, जिसमे तमाम देवीदेवता एवं िाजत पात है। इसमे कोई
ऊूँचा कोई नीचा है। आपको पूरा सम्मान इस िमथ मे नही
जमलता है। ईसाई िमथ को मानने से देजखए जकतने लोगो
की नौकरी लग गई जकतने लोगो के व्यापार में वृजि हो
गई। रोग एवं बीमारी ठीक हो गई। यजद आप लोग चाहे
तो मै इसके जलए अपनी जमजसनरी से आजर्थक लाभ भी
जदलवा दूंगा। जकन्तु मैने कहा मैं सनातनी व्यजक्त ह ूँ। जहन्दू
िमथ को ही मानता ह ूँ। मैं जकसी अन्य िमथ को नहीं
अपनाऊूँगा उसके इन सब बातो से मुझे काफी कष्ट हुआ
तर्ा उसके इस प्रकार भाषण देने से समाि के जवजभन्न
वगो मे शत्रुता का भाव एवं आपस मे वैमनस्यता बढ़ रही
है। उसके इस कृत्य से जहन्दू िमथ के मानने वाले तर्ा र्ा
उनके िाजमथक जवश्वासो का अनादर सादर दुभाथवना पूणथ
इरादे से जकया गया है। तर्ा इससे साम्प्रदाजयक सद्भाव
जबगड़ने की आशंका हो गई र्ी। र्ी। इसी तरह का
प्रयोिन जितेन्र साहनी द्वारा जदनांक 10.12.23 को
दोपहर मे भी जकया िा रहा र्ा। जिसकी सूचना जकसी ने
पुजलस को जदया र्ा। पुजलस के मौके पर आने पर उसने
अपना कायथक्रम बन्द कर जदया र्ा। बाद में मैने सुना जक
इस सम्बन्ि में गाूँव के चौकीदार बाबूराम द्वारा जितेन्र
साहुनी के जवरुि र्ाने पर िाकर मुकदमा जलखवाया गया
है। साहब मुझे िो िानकारी र्ी वह आपको सहीसही बात
बता जदया इस प्रकार गवाह ने अपना बयान जदया। बयान
अंजकत जकया गया।"

7. Learned A.G.A. relying on
statement of aforesaid witness recorded
under
section
161
Cr.P.C.
further
submits that the permission which was
granted to the applicant for organizing
prayer
meeting
has
rightly
been
withdrawn
by
the
Sub
Divisional
Magistrate. He further submits that
State has also granted sanction in this
matter to proceed against the applicant
under section 153A and 295A IPC.

8. It is an admitted fact that
statement of a witness recorded under
section 161 Cr.P.C. is not an evidence
and
such
statement
is
only
for
contradicting
or
corroborating
the
statement of a witness recorded on oath
as
examination-in-chief
and
crossexamination at the stage of trial. It is
also settled law that this Court cannot
conduct trial and the same can only be
done by the trial court. As such, in the
opinion of this Court, the present
application
lacks
merit
and
is,
accordingly, dismissed.

9. However, it is always open to
the applicant to move a discharge
application before the trial court raising
all his grievances including the plea
that ingredients of Section 153A as well
as Section 295A IPC are missing in the
FIR as well as material collected during
investigation, no case under aforesaid
sections in made out against him.

10. It is pertinent to mention here
that learned A.G.A. has drawn attention
of this Court towards the fact that as per
statement
of
witness
Lakshman
Vishwakarma,
the
applicant,
who
belonged to Hindu community, has
accepted Christianity and held the post of
Padri (Priest), whereas, in the affidavit
filed in support of this application, he has
mentioned his religion as Hindu. The said
part of the affidavit is pasted below :
10 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES

11. Before parting with the order, this
Court finds it pertinent to mention the
relevant provisions of the Constitution
(Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950 under
which it has been held that no person who
belongs to a community other than Hindu,
Sikh or Buddhist shall be deemed to be a
member
of
scheduled
caste.
The
Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order,
1950 is being quoted below :-

"By virtue of Article 341 of the
Constitution of India, the President, after
consultation with the Governors and
Rajpramukhs of the States concerned, is
pleased to make the following order,
namely-

1. This Order may be called the
Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order,
1950.

2. Subject to the provisions of this
Order, the castes, races or tribes or part of,
or groups within, castes or tribes specified
in Parts to XXII, XXIII, XXIV of the
Schedule to this Order shall, in relation to
the States to which those Parts respectively
relate, be deemed to be Scheduled Castes
so far as regards member thereof resident
in the localities specified in relation to
them in those Parts of that Schedule.

3.
Notwithstanding
anything
contained in paragraph 2, no person who
professes a religion different from the
Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion
shall be deemed to be member of a
Scheduled Caste.

......................"

12. About Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes under Section 2(c) of the
SC/ST Act has been mentioned. Section
11 All. Jitendra Sahani Vs. State of U.P. & Anr.
11
2(c) of the Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled
Tribes
(Prevention
of
Atrocities) Act, 1989 reads as under :

(c)
"Scheduled
Castes
and
Scheduled Tribes: shall have the meanings
assigned to them respectively under clause
(24) and clause (25) of Article 366 of the
Constitution.

13.
The
relevant
Articles
of
Constitution of India in respect of terms
'Scheduled Castes', 'Scheduled Tribes' are
being quoted below :

Article 366

Sub-clause(24)
"Scheduled
Castes" means such castes, races or tribes
or parts of or groups within such castes,
races or tribes as are deemed under article
341 to be Scheduled Castes for the
purposes of this Constitution;

Sub-clause
(25)
"Scheduled
Tribes" means such tribes or tribal
communities or parts of or groups within
such tribes or tribal communities as are
deemed under article 342 to be Scheduled
Tribes for the purposes of this Constitution;

Article 341. Scheduled Castes

(1) The President may with
respect to any State or Union territory, and
where it is a State after consultation with
the
Governor
thereof,
by
public
notification, specify the castes, races or
tribes or parts of or group within castes,
races or tribes which shall for the purposes
of this Constitution be deemed to be
Scheduled Castes in relation to that State
or Union territory, as the case may be.

(2) Parliament may by law
include in or exclude from the list of
Scheduled Castes specified in a notification
issued under clause (1) any caste, race or
tribe or part of or group within any caste,
race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a
notification issued under the said clause
shall not be varied by any subsequent
notification.

Article 342. Scheduled Tribes

(1)The
President
may
with
respect to any State or Union territory, and
where it is a State after consultation with
the
Governor
thereof,
by
public
notification specify the tribes or tribal
communities or parts of or groups within
tribes or tribal communities which shall for
the purposes of this Constitution be deemed
to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that
State or Union territory, as the case may
be.(2)Parliament may by law include in or
exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes
specified in a notification issued under
clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or
part of or group within any tribe or tribal
community, but save as aforesaid a
notification issued under the said clause
shall not be varied by any subsequent
notification.

14. About Hindu and Scheduled Tribe
under section 2 of the Hindu Succession
Act, 1956 has been mentioned. Section 2 of
The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 is being
quoted below :-

Section 2.(1)(a) to any person,
who is a Hindu by religion in any of its
forms
or
developments,
including
a
Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the
Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj,
12 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES

(b) to any person who is a
Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh by religion, and

(c) to any other person who is
not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by
religion, unless it is proved that any such
person would not have been governed by
the Hindu law or by any custom or usage
as part of that law in respect of any of the
matters dealt with herein if this Act had not
been passed.

Explanation.--
The
following
persons are Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or
Sikhs by religion, as the case may be:--

(a) any child, legitimate or
illegitimate, both of whose parents are
Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or Sikhs by
religion;

(b) any child, legitimate or
illegitimate, one of whose parents is a
Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh by religion
and who is brought up as a member of the
tribe, community, group or family to which
such parent belongs or belonged;

(c) any person who is a convert
or reconvert to the Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina
or Sikh religion.

(2)
Notwithstanding
anything
contained in sub-section (1), nothing
contained in this Act shall apply to the
members of any Scheduled Tribe within the
meaning of clause (25) of article 366 of the
Constitution
unless
the
Central
Government, by notification in the Official
Gazette, otherwise directs.

(3) The expression "Hindu" in any
portion of this Act shall be construed as if it
included a person who, though not a Hindu
by religion, is, nevertheless, a person to
whom this Act applies by virtue of the
provisions contained in this section."

15. Further, this Court finds it pertinent
to mention that the term 'Hindu' has been
defined Section 2 of the Hindu Succession
Act, 1956. As per the Act, "Hindu" includes
Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, as well
as any person who is a follower of the
Brahmo, Prarthana, or Arya Samaj. It also
covers any other person not a Muslim,
Christian, Parsi, or Jew, unless it's proven
they are not governed by Hindu law or
custom. Furthermore, a person is considered
Hindu if they are the child of two Hindu
parents or one Hindu parent who was brought
up as a Hindu, or if they have been converted
or re-converted to Hinduism.

16. Hon'ble Supreme Court in matter of
Soosai and others v. Union of India (UOI)
and others, AIR 1986 SC 733 has held that
person belonging to Scheduled Castes and
converted to Christianity shall not be eligible
for assistance under scheme. In para 6 of the
judgment it has been held as under:

"6. It is apparent that for the
purpose of the Constitution the constitutional
provisions relating to Scheduled Castes are
intended to be applied to only those members
of the castes enumerated in the Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 who profess
the Hindu or the Sikh religion. Clearly, if it
can be contemplated that a Christian belongs
to one of those castes, he is barred by reason
of paragraph 3, from being regarded as a
member of a Scheduled Caste and is,
therefore, not entitled to the benefit of the
constitutional
provisions
relating
to
Scheduled Castes."

17. Hon'ble Supreme Court in the
matter of K.P. Manu vs. Chairman,
Scrutiny Committee for verification of
11 All. Jitendra Sahani Vs. State of U.P. & Anr.
13
Community Certificate (2015) 4 SCC 1
has held as under :

"34. In our considered opinion,
three things that need to be established by
a person who claims to be a beneficiary of
the caste certificate are (i) there must be
absolutely clear cut proof that he belongs
to the caste that has been recognised by the
Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order,
1950;

(ii) there has been reconversion
to the original religion to which the parents
and earlier generations had belonged; and
(iii) there has to be evidence establishing
the acceptance by the community. Each
aspect according to us is very significant,
and if one is not substantiated, the
recognition would not be possible."

18. In C. Selvarani v. Special
Secretary-cum-District
Collector
and
Others, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 3470, the
Hon'ble Supreme Court held that upon
conversion to Christianity, an individual
ceases to belong to their original caste. The
Court further observed that claiming castebased benefits merely for the purpose of
availing
reservation
after
such
conversion amounts to a "fraud on the
Constitution." Relevant paragraph of the
judgment is quoted below :-

"15. At this juncture, we may
observe that India is a secular country.
Every citizen has a right to practise and
profess a religion of their choice as
guaranteed under Article 25 of the
Constitution. One converts to a different
religion, when he/she is genuinely inspired
by its principles, tenets and spiritual
thoughts. However, if the purpose of
conversion is largely to derive the benefits
of reservation but not with any actual belief
on the other religion, the same cannot be
permitted, as the extension of benefits of
reservation to people with such ulterior
motive will only defeat the social ethos of
the policy of reservation. In the instant
case, the evidence presented clearly
demonstrates that the appellant professes
Christianity and actively practices the
faith by attending church regularly.
Despite the same, she claims to be a
Hindu and seeks for Scheduled Caste
community certificate for the purpose of
employment. Such a dual claim made by
her is untenable and she cannot continue
to identify herself as a Hindu after
baptism. Therefore, the conferment of
Scheduled caste communal status to the
appellant, who is a Christian by religion,
but claims to be still embracing Hinduism
only
for
the
purpose
of
availing
reservation in employment, would go
against the very object of reservation and
would
amount
to
fraud
on
the
Constitution."

 (emphasis supplied)

19. The Andhra Pradesh High Court,
in Akkala Rami Reddy and Others v.
State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its
Public, 2025 SCC OnLine AP 1685, has
recently followed the above precedent of
the Supreme Court. The High Court
clarified that caste-based discrimination
does not exist within the Christian faith,
and therefore the basis for Scheduled Caste
classification
stands
nullified
upon
conversion, irrespective of the existence of
any previously issued caste certificate. The
Court
further
held
that
the
SC/ST
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act is intended
to protect communities that historically
face
caste-based
discrimination.
Consequently, its protective provisions
cannot be extended to persons who have
14 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
embraced another faith wherein the caste
system is not recognized.

20. In view of aforesaid fact, District
Magistrate, Maharajganj is directed to
enquire into the matter regarding religion
of the applicant, within three months and
if he is found guilty of forgery, take strict
action against him in accordance with law
so that such affidavits may not be filed
before this Court in future.

21. Apart from above, Cabinet
Secretary, Government of India, Chief
Secretary,
Government
of
U.P.
are
directed to look into the matter of
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
other Backward Classes as well as the
provisions of law and act in accordance
with law, as mentioned above.

22.
Principal
Secretary/Additional
Chief
Secretary,
Minorities
Welfare
Department, Government of U.P. is also
directed to look into the matter and take
appropriate action or pass appropriate order
giving direction to the authorities so that
law may be executed in reality/true sense.

23. Additional Chief Secretary, Social
Welfare Department is also directed to act
in accordance with law.

24. All the District Magistrates of
State of U.P. are directed to act in
accordance with law within four months
and communicate to the Chief Secretary,
State of U.P. and other Principal/Additional
Chief Secretary, so that such fraud on
Constitution
may
not
occur
as
per
observation made by Hon'ble Supreme
Court in case of C. Selvarani (supra).

25. Learned A.G.A. is directed to
communicate this order to the Cabinet
Secretary, Government of India/ Chief
Secretary, Government of U.P./Principal
Secretary/Additional
Chief
Secretary,
Minorities
Welfare
Department,
Government of U.P. and Additional Chief
Secretary, Social Welfare Department and
all the District Magistrates within State of
U.P. to act upon and take action in
accordance with law.
---------
(2025) 11 ILRA 14
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL SIDE
DATED: LUCKNOW 18.11.2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE RAJNISH KUMAR, J.
THE HON'BLE RAJEEV SINGH, J.

Capital Cases No. 4 of 2021
&
Criminal Appeal No. 1626 of 2021

State of U.P. ...Appellant
Versus
Premchandra @ Pappu Dixit ...Respondent

Counsel for the Appellant:
Dr. V.K. Singh, GA, Sri Raj Deep Singh,
AGA

Counsel for the Respondent:
Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi

Issue for consideration
Matter pertains to reference for confirmation of
the death sentence of convict.

Headnotes
Death Penalty-Indian penal Code-Sec.
302, 376-reference made by the trial Court- for
confirmation of the death sentence of convict-
facts based on circumstantial evidence in regard
to the offences under Sections 376 and 302
I.P.C.- learned trial Court has considered the
circumstances in detail but without any report of
Probation
Officer,
Jail
Administration
and
Psychologist of evaluation - no criminal history -
no evidence that offence was committed with