The Allahabad High Court directed the Additional District Magistrate, Prayagraj, to complete all formalities within four weeks following approval of a man’s conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, after administrative permission was granted.
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj, to complete all consequential formalities within four weeks after approving an application filed by a man seeking conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Indrajeet Shukla passed the order while disposing of a writ petition filed by Anil Pandit alias Mohammad Ahasan. The Court was informed during the proceedings that the competent authority had already granted approval to the petitioner’s conversion request on May 14, 2026.
The matter traces its origins to an application submitted by the petitioner on May 27, 2022, under Section 9(4) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Through the application, he sought official recognition of his decision to convert from Islam to Sanatan Dharma.
However, the process encountered delays and legal complications after the Additional District Magistrate rejected the request on August 9, 2024. The rejection was primarily based on an FIR lodged by the father of the petitioner’s Hindu wife, who had objected to their marriage.
Aggrieved by the decision, the petitioner approached the High Court, contending that the authority had wrongly focused on issues surrounding his marriage rather than examining whether the conversion was voluntary and in accordance with the law.
While hearing the matter earlier, the High Court observed that the petitioner had converted long before his marriage and that the competent authority had exceeded the scope of its inquiry.
In its order dated May 5, 2026, the Court held that the relevant question before the authority was whether the conversion was voluntary and lawful. The Bench noted that the validity of the marriage was not the issue under consideration while deciding an application under the 2021 Act.
Consequently, the Court directed the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj, to reconsider the application afresh and pass a reasoned order in accordance with law.
Also Read: “Religious Conversion Open to All, But Requires Proof to be Voluntary”: Allahabad HC
During the latest hearing, the State government informed the Court that, in compliance with the earlier directions, the Additional District Magistrate had re-examined the matter and passed a final order on May 14, 2026.
The authority accepted the petitioner’s application for conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
After examining the order, the High Court noted that the principal relief sought by the petitioner had already been granted by the competent authority.
Taking note of the development, the Bench directed the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj, to complete the remaining statutory formalities by passing consequential orders under Section 9(6) of the 2021 Act.
The Court fixed a timeline of four weeks for completing the process and ensuring compliance with the statutory requirements. The High Court also issued directions regarding the petitioner’s personal records and official documents.
The Bench observed that the petitioner would continue to remain bound by the undertaking that had been recorded in the Court’s earlier order dated May 5, 2026. It further directed him to take necessary steps for correcting and updating his name and identity details in all relevant records.
The Court specifically instructed the petitioner to apply for changes in educational certificates, testimonials, and other official documents so that they accurately reflect his updated identity following the approved conversion.
Since the conversion application had already been approved by the competent authority and further directions had been issued for completion of the remaining legal formalities, the High Court found no justification for keeping the matter pending.
Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed of.
Case Title: Anil Pandit @ Mohammad Ahashan vs. State of U.P. and 2 Others.
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