Allahabad HC frees man confined after conversion, relationship with Muslim woman

…and entered into a relationship with a Muslim woman, Chandni Qureshi. Based on Mr. Ayush’s submission that he had voluntarily embraced Islam in 2014 and accepted Ms. Qureshi as his partner, the court observed that the choice of a person with whom an adult wishes to establish a matrimonial relationship forms part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. It added that such choices cannot be curtailed merely because they are contrary to the wishes of family members. Following Mr. Ayush’s conversion from Hinduism to Islam, the police in Shamli district registered a case…

…During his interaction with the Bench on Wednesday, Mr. Ayush said he had been subjected to threats and confined illegally by his father since June 4. Mr. Devraj disputed the allegations and told the court that his son had been influenced by “certain individuals”. After hearing both sides, the court said nothing had been brought on record to persuade it to disbelieve Mr. Ayush’s statement. “Freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion…