HC directs UP police to produce man allegedly held by family after conversion

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court has directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to produce a man who, according to a habeas corpus petition, is being illegally detained by his own family after he converted to Islam to marry a Muslim woman.

The order came during a hearing on Friday, September 11, on a plea filed by Sultan, who claims to be a friend of Ayush Malik. A single bench of Justice Sandeep Jain, in an order passed on Wednesday, September 9, said it prima facie appeared that Malik had voluntarily renounced Hinduism, embraced Islam and solemnised his marriage with Chandni Qureshi against his father's wishes.

Treating the allegations of illegal custody and state involvement as serious, the court directed the state and Malik's father to ensure his production before the court on September 16. If he is not produced on that date, the authorities and the father will have to file personal affidavits explaining the reasons for non-production and detailing the steps taken to secure his presence.

The case traces back to a complaint by Malik's father, who alleged that his son was influenced by Qureshi's family to convert to Islam in 2023 and that the nikah was conducted in Delhi despite opposition. Following the conversion, Shamli police registered a case under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, leading to the arrest of Qureshi and her father, who spent months in jail.

Malik, who had reportedly adopted the name Mohammad Ali after conversion, had told the media that he embraced Islam of his own free will. His father, however, claimed he was coerced, allegedly to gain access to family property. Some reports later said Malik had returned to Hinduism.

In the habeas corpus petition, Sultan alleged that Malik's father is keeping him in illegal custody with the active assistance of the state, prompting the court to call for immediate consideration of the matter.