Alexander Thomas, J.

1. The petitioner essentially challenges the legality and validity of the decision of the 1st respondent at Ext.P-16 in rejecting the petitioner's claim for Scheduled Caste (Hindu Sambava) status for admission to professional courses, 2007. The said impugned Ext.P-16 dated 30.6.2007 is based on an enquiry report (Ext.P-10) of the 3rd respondent-KIRTADS (Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes), which, according to the petitioner, is not taking into account the crucial relevant criteria and the principles laid down by the Apex Court on the issue of conversion and reconversion of Scheduled Castes. The petitioner's paternal great grandfather and paternal grandfather (Chothi) belonged to Hindu Sambava community. It is also not in dispute that his forefathers prior to his paternal great grandfather were also belonging to the said community. It is evident from Ext.P-8 (report dated 9.5.1988 of the Village Officer concerned), that the petitioner's grandfather Chothi had renounced Hinduism and had embraced Christian religion in the year 1918 and had changed his name as Devassia. It is also not in disp