NEW DELHI: In a case related to benefits to Scheduled Castes on reconversion, the appellant K.P. Manu’s great-grandfather belonged to Hindu Pulaya community.

His son Chothi embraced Christianity and accepted a new name, that is, Varghese who married Mariam who originally belonged to Hindu Ezhava community and later on converted to Christianity. In the wedlock three sons — Varghese, Yohannan and Paulose were born.

The father of the appellant, Paulose, got married to Kunjamma who was a Christian. The appellant who was born on January 3, 1960, sometime in 1984 at the age of 24 converted back to Hinduism and changed his name to K.P. Manu.

He obtained a certificate from the concerned community on February 5, 1984. Eventually, the tahsildar who was authorised to issue the caste certificate had issued the necessary caste certificate and he joined Kerala government service.

However, a screening committee scrutinised the caste certificate and cancelled it and he was dismissed from service and this was upheld by the Kerala High Court. The present appeal by Mr Manu is directed against this judgement.

Allowing the appeal, the bench set aside the orders passed by the screening committee and the High Court and directed the appellant’s reinstatement in service forthwith with all the benefits relating to seniority and he would be paid 75 per cent of the back wages.