SOOSAI ETC. versus UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS
Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, restricting Scheduled Caste status to Hindus and Sikhs, is not unconstitutional; the material before the court does not demonstrate that Christian converts suffer comparable disabilities warranting inclusion, and the President was not arbitrary in enacting the provision.
- Parties
- Petitioner: Soosai; Respondent: Union of India and Others
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Judgment Date
- 30 September 1985
- Procedural Posture
- Writ Petition (article 32) / Final Judgment
- Outcome
- Petitions dismissed
- Legal Topics
- Scheduled Castes, Religious Conversion, Welfare Schemes, Article 14, Article 15, Article 25, Article 341
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Soosai
Petitioner
Union of India and Others
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition (article 32) / Final Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 is constitutionally invalid for restricting Scheduled Caste status to Hindus and Sikhs.
- 2 Whether the exclusion of Christian converts from Scheduled Caste benefits violates Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution.
Ratio Decidendi
Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, restricting Scheduled Caste status to Hindus and Sikhs, is not unconstitutional; the material before the court does not demonstrate that Christian converts suffer comparable disabilities warranting inclusion, and the President was not arbitrary in enacting the provision.
Court Disposition
Petitions dismissed
Orders
- The writ petitions are dismissed without any order as to costs.
Full Case Text
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