The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh has ordered the state government to pay around 75,000 rupees (approximately US$900) after police falsely accused five Muslims of converting a Hindu woman to Islam.
The court dismissed the police complaint, describing it as “a glaring example of the state authorities falling and scrambling over each other to score brownie points” from their superiors.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government was instructed to pay 50,000 rupees to the primary accused, who had been arrested on 18 September and held in custody for more than 45 days. An additional 25,000 rupees is to be deposited with the court’s Legal Aid Services, which provides free legal assistance to those unable to afford it.
Although five individuals were named in the case, only one was detained. Police had accused them of luring a Hindu housewife to convert to Islam as part of an alleged “conversion racket.” The court noted that the woman had told police she had not changed her religion, yet the case included charges of abduction and theft.
The court ordered the release of the detained individual and stated that the government could take action against officials responsible for the false allegations. Court documents indicated that the woman had left her home voluntarily after facing harassment and physical abuse from her husband, Pankaj Kumar.
Christian leaders in the state welcomed the ruling, suggesting it could set a precedent for dismissing false complaints under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, widely known as the anti-conversion law.
Pastor Joy Mathew, who assists Christians affected by such cases, said that approximately 400 entirely false complaints have been filed against Christians since the law was introduced. “This case shows how police and other authorities collaborate in targeting religious minorities, misusing the draconian anti-conversion law,” he said.
He added that Hindu groups often lodge complaints against Christians for attending Sunday services, house prayer meetings, or even birthday gatherings. “Police accept these complaints without even a preliminary investigation and frequently arrest and detain the accused,” he said.
Another church leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the High Court ruling as “wonderful and an eye-opener for all,” adding that holding authorities accountable could improve the situation for religious minorities.
Adapted from UCA News.
