Allahabad High Court frees man following voluntary conversion to Islam

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that 31-year-old Ayush Malik is free to live according to his own choices after he voluntarily converted from Hinduism to Islam. Justice Sandeep Jain stated there was “no lawful justification” for Malik’s restraint and emphasized that an adult’s choice of religion and marriage is a “matter of individual autonomy”.

The court's decision follows a habeas corpus petition filed by a friend, which alleged that Malik had been illegally detained by his father with the assistance of state authorities. Malik’s father had previously filed a first information report under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, after Malik married Chandni Qureshi.

During the hearing, Malik testified that his conversion was made of his own free will without coercion or pressure. The High Court directed the Shamli Police not to interfere with Malik and granted him the liberty to reside with his wife at a location of his choosing.