Allahabad High Court Flags Misuse of Anti-Conversion Law in Uttar Pradesh

The Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over the filing of false and frivolous First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. A Division Bench comprising Justice Abdul Moin and Justice Pramod Kumar Srivastava observed a troubling pattern of misuse by police and third-party complainants. The remarks were made while hearing a petition from a Muslim man arrested after his partner's father filed a complaint. Although the woman stated her relationship was consensual and denied coercion, police continued investigating kidnapping and anti-conversion charges. The court noted this reflects a disturbing trend where victims fear harassment by external groups. Consequently, the bench stayed the petitioner's arrest, directed security for all parties, and summoned the complainant to explain why action should not be taken against him for filing a false complaint. Additionally, the State’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home) was ordered to file an affidavit detailing actions taken in such cases. This ruling echoes recent concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding the increasing trend of third-party complaints under anti-conversion laws in various states.