The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the State and private respondents to produce 2 minor children, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, before it on September 25, after their father alleged that his estranged wife (the children's mother) intends to embrace Islam and convert the children to Islam.

A bench of Justice Sandeep Jain passed the order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the children's father, Arpit Agarwal.

The children are stated to be the petitioner's minor son and daughter, born out of wedlock with his estranged wife, Pulkita Agarwal.

According to the submissions recorded by the Court, the petitioner alleged that his estranged wife is presently having custody of the minor children and is presently having an "illicit relationship" with a Muslim Man

He alleged that his estranged wife intends to change her religion and embrace Islam and is also allegedly intending to convert the minor children to Islam.

He further submitted that he had lodged an FIR in January 2026 under Sections 115(2) and 352 of the BNS and Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, at a Police Station in Lucknow.

He alleged that no effective action had been taken by the police till date.

The petitioner further submitted that his estranged wife was being supported by her father, mother and brother, who have been impleaded as respondent nos. 7, 8 and 9 in the habeas corpus petition.

Considering the submissions, the High Court issued notice to respondent nos. 6 to 10. The Court also directed the State and the private respondents to produce the corpus before this Court on 25.09.2026.

The Bench further ordered that if the children were not produced on the fixed date, respondent nos. 2 to 5 would have to file personal affidavits disclosing the efforts they made to produce the children and explaining why they could not produce them before the Court.

The matter has been listed as fresh on September 25, 2026.