Prayagraj ADM Clears Muslim Man's 'Voluntary' Conversion To Hinduism After Allahabad High Court Rap

Following a strong reprimand from the Allahabad High Court earlier this month, the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj, formally cleared/allowed the religious conversion application of a Muslim man who voluntarily embraced Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism in 2022. Taking note of the order passed on May 14 by the concerned officer, a division bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Indrajeet Shukla on Wednesday disposed of the writ petition filed by the man, Anil Pandit (formerly Mohammad Ahashan), who is an Assistant Professor at an institute of the University of Allahabad.For context, Petitioner had moved the High Court in 2024 after unwarranted and repeated police inquiries were initiated against him under UP's anti-conversion law. It was his case despite two initial police reports confirming that the conversion was voluntary and without undue influence, the ADM had directed a subsequent inquiry based solely on the FIR lodged against the petitioner by his father-in-law, who was unhappy over the petitioner marrying his daughter.Relying on this later report, which noted the filing of a charge sheet against the petitioner, the ADM had rejected the conversion application in August 2024, assuming that the conversion was undertaken solely for the purpose of marriage.The ADM had also taken note of a transaction of Rs. 1 lakh in April 2021 between the couple as stark evidence of 'lure' or undue influence.However, earlier this month, the High Court strongly censured this approach. The bench interacted with the petitioner and his wife to note that the marriage was voluntary.Petitioner's wife also clarified that the monetary transaction was merely financial help from a good friend during a severe family medical emergency.Against this backdrop, in a strongly worded order, the division bench on May 5 observed that the ADM had exercised powers not vested in her by repeatedly ordering police investigations into an unrelated criminal matter, while ignoring the initial reports in the petitioner's favour."We do not appreciate this act and conduct of the Additional District Magistrate for the reason that the Additional District Magistrate had nothing to do with the criminal investigation matter, forcing the police to again and again submit a report", the Court had remarked.Furthermore, finding that the petitioner had strictly followed the step-by-step statutory procedure, the Court had also placed the ADM's rejection order in abeyance and directed the authority to pass a fresh order, taking a pragmatic view of the matter.Now, during the hearing on May 27, the bench was apprised that pursuant to Court's orders, the ADM had passed a final order officially allowing the petitioner's application filed under Section 9(4) of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.For context, under this provision, the procedural legitimacy of such conversions has to be verified by the official authority. Specifically, Section 9(4) requires a converted individual to physically appear before the authority to establish their identity and formally confirm the contents of their post-conversion declaration.Having perused the order in question, the division bench directed the prescribed authority to pass the consequential orders under Section 9(6) of the 2021 Act within a strict period of 4 weeks.Furthermore, while disposing of the petition, the High Court directed that the petitioner must continue to abide by the undertaking he had given before the bench during his statement recorded in the previous order passed on May 5.Before parting, the bench directed the petitioner to apply for a change of name in all official records, including his testimonials.Advocate Ashish Kumar Srivastava, along with Advocate Ashruti Kesarwani, appeared for the petitionerState Law Officer Shruti Malvia appeared for the respondentsCase title - Anil Pandit @ Mohammad Ahashan vs. State Of U.P. And 2 Others 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 300Case Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 300Click Here To Read/Download Order

Prayagraj ADM Clears Muslim Man's 'Voluntary' Conversion To Hinduism After Allahabad High Court Rap

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Prayagraj ADM Clears Muslim Man's 'Voluntary' Conversion To Hinduism After Allahabad High Court Rap

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