A formal complaint has been submitted by NGO watchdog Legal Rights Protection Forum to the District Collector of Bapatla seeking cancellation of a Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate allegedly obtained fraudulently by an individual identified as Chintada Anand, along with recovery of benefits and initiation of criminal action against both the individual and the issuing authority.
According to the complaint, Chintada Anand is accused of securing an SC certificate despite having converted to Christianity, which, under existing government regulations, disqualifies an individual from retaining Scheduled Caste status. The complaint states that he subsequently used this certificate to file a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against several villagers.
The matter is linked to Crime No. 8/2021 registered at T. Sandole Police Station in Bapatla district under relevant sections of the IPC and the SC/ST Act. Following legal proceedings, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, in April 2025, quashed the FIR, holding that Anand had converted to Christianity and therefore could not claim Scheduled Caste status. The Supreme Court later upheld this decision in March 2026.
The complaint further alleges that despite multiple representations from villagers and directions for inquiry by district authorities, no effective action was taken. It has also been claimed that the Tahsildar issued the SC certificate based on an outdated record without verifying the individual’s current religious status, raising concerns of administrative negligence.
Additionally, the complainants have alleged that Anand received ₹2.5 lakh as victim compensation under the SC/ST Act based on the disputed caste status. They have requested that the amount be recovered as government dues, citing judicial precedents that treat such claims as misuse of the law.
The complaint has urged the district administration to initiate an inquiry, cancel the caste certificate, recover all benefits obtained, and take criminal as well as departmental action against those responsible.
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