Allahabad HC Says No Direct Evidence, Grants Bail in Conversion Case
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The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a Muslim student accused in a case involving attempts to forcibly convert a Hindu classmate.
Justice Avnish Saxena, while passing the order, observed that apart from the victim’s statement, there was no material on record directly establishing the involvement of the accused, Malishka alias Malishka Fatma. Taking note of this, along with the fact that she has no prior criminal history, the Court granted her protection from arrest.
As per the order, Fatma has been directed to appear before the trial court or the investigating officer within 30 days. She will be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of 25,000 along with two sureties of the same amount.
The case originated from a complaint filed by the brother of the alleged victim, who claimed that his sister was being pressured by a group of Muslim girls from her tuition centre to adopt Islam. He further alleged that she was made to wear a burqa and was influenced to accept the religion.
In her statement to the police, the girl said that the incident took place during an outing in December 2025. According to her, after coaching classes, she went out with the accused students, who allegedly made her wear a burqa for the day and tried to persuade her to eat non-vegetarian food. She further stated that when she refused to eat meat, she was encouraged to at least try the gravy.
Also, some co-accused had earlier approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR, claiming that the allegations were false and motivated. They argued that the complainant had been harassing one of the girls and that the case was filed as a retaliatory measure after she objected to his conduct.
However, in an earlier order dated April 16, a Division Bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena declined to quash the case. The Bench observed that allegations of forced religious conversion involving young students were serious in nature and required a proper investigation.
In the present proceedings, Advocate Jaideep Pandey appeared for the accused, while Advocate Chandra Vijai Singh represented the complainant. The State was represented by Advocate Pankaj Saxena.