UP Anti-Conversion Law’s Effect: Allahabad High Court Denies Bail To Azeem For Allegedly Forcing Woman To Convert To Islam

In a recent ruling, the Allahabad High Court has denied the bail application of a man facing charges under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, along with other criminal charges. 

The court has emphasised that the primary purpose of the Act is to safeguard religious freedom for all, thus promoting social harmony and reflecting India's commitment to secularism as per a report by The Indian Express.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, presiding over the case, noted in his order that while the Constitution grants every individual the fundamental right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion, this individual right does not extend to a collective right to proselytise. 

The court underscored that the right to religious freedom is equally applicable to both the person converting and the individual being converted.

The bail application in question was filed by Azeem, who has been in jail since 27 June of the previous year. 

The complainant, a woman has accused Azeem of making videos of her and using them to blackmail her. She has further alleged that he had sexually exploited her and was pressuring her to marry him, while also forcing her to convert to Islam, consume non-vegetarian food, and wear traditional Muslim attire.

Azeem, in his defence, claimed that the woman had willingly left his home and that their relationship had been consensual.

The government's counsel has opposed the bail application, highlighting the woman's claims that she was coerced into accepting Islam and that their Nikah ceremony took place without any formal conversion. 

After reviewing the case, the court concluded that there had been a violation of sections 3 and 8 of the 2021 Act, punishable under section 5, and therefore, Azeem's bail application was denied.