High Court Upholds Religious Freedom, Denies Bail in Forced Conversion Case

The Allahabad High Court emphasises the safeguarding of religious freedom while denying bail to Ajeem, accused of coercing a woman into converting to Islam. The court noted that both the convertor and the converted have equal religious freedoms, but found prima facie evidence against Ajeem under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court reiterated the importance of religious freedom for all Indians, underpinning the secular fabric of the nation. The court highlighted this while rejecting the bail plea of Ajeem, accused of compelling a woman to convert to Islam and subjecting her to various atrocities.

Judge Rohit Ranjan Agarwal stated the individual right to practice religion does not amount to a collective right to proselytise. Ajeem, facing charges under the IPC and the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, claimed innocence, asserting the woman consented to their relationship and conversion.

The court found the woman was coerced, held captive, and forced into Islamic rituals. Ajeem failed to comply with the Act's Section 8, necessitating a formal declaration before conversion. Consequently, his bail was denied, highlighting a prima facie breach of legal provisions aimed at preventing forced religious conversions.