In Brief
CPI(M) leader A. Raja contested from Devikulam Legislative Assembly Constituency, a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes (Hindu Parayan community), relying on a valid Caste Certificate. After his election victory, the losing Congress candidate challenged the election on grounds that Raja had converted to Christianity and was ineligible. The Kerala High Court invalidated the election. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that a duly issued Caste or Community Certificate can only be challenged under the applicable state statute (here, the Kerala Act), not collaterally through an Election Petition. The Court found the evidence of conversion insufficient, noting the witness who allegedly baptized Raja's parents was only 14 years old in 1982. The Court emphasised that an Election Petitioner must prove disqualification beyond reasonable doubt and cannot develop new cases outside the pleadings.
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