Allahabad HC Fines Father, UP Government for Illegal Detention of Sisters Who Converted to Islam

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on the father of two sisters and the Uttar Pradesh government for illegally detaining the sisters after they converted from Hinduism to Islam. Justice Sandeep Jain said in the order that the sisters, aged 20 and 35, had converted to Islam of their own free will and that the government, which had a constitutional responsibility to secure their release from detention, had failed to do so. The fine is to be shared equally between the two parties.

The order was passed after the sisters were produced before the court and their statements were recorded as directed by the court. The court found that there had been no external pressure for their conversion. Therefore, the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act invoked by the Uttar Pradesh Police would not stand.

The sisters had been kept confined at their home since 2021 after a false kidnapping complaint was filed. The court said the father and police had jointly deprived two educated women, who had committed no offence, of their personal freedom.

The court observed that the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty cannot be subordinated to family opposition, social conservatism or executive indifference. Such a situation would undermine the very foundation of constitutional democracy.

The court also held that the free choice exercised by two individuals does not pose any threat to the sovereignty or integrity of the country.

The court directed that the sisters' passports, certificates, identification documents, bank records and personal belongings be handed over to them within seven days.