Expressing surprise over the actions of the UP Police, the court remarked: “Leave it, in fact, I am also surprised, I don’t want to use the word, the state police is also biased…how can it be? The facts speak for themselves, and you are invoking that Conversion Act for nothing.”
NEW DELHI: Today, 20th March, The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police for misusing the anti-conversion law in an alleged rape case. The court questioned the fairness of the state authorities and raised concerns over the arbitrary application of the Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a bail plea filed by a petitioner accused in a case of alleged rape and unlawful conversion. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that he had been in jail for the past eight months.
Meanwhile, the UP government’s counsel sought additional time to file a counter affidavit, stating that the case involved allegations of gang rape.
The Supreme Court earlier issued a notice in the case and observed “This is a case of a consensual relationship where the parties were known to each other for a long time and the complainant/victim has a child from an earlier relationship/marriage, but wrong allegations are being made to put the petitioner behind bars.”
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Expressing surprise over the actions of the UP Police, the court remarked: “Leave it, in fact, I am also surprised, I don’t want to use the word, the state police is also biased…how can it be? The facts speak for themselves, and you are invoking that Conversion Act for nothing.”
The court took strong objection to the use of the Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, by the state police.
The bench stated “There is nothing in it….you are not being fair in this, the state is not being fair in this….facts speak for themselves. And invoking the conversion act? Uncalled for! absolutely uncalled for.”
The Supreme Court granted the UP government two weeks to file a response or a rejoinder if necessary. The hearing highlighted concerns over the misuse of legal provisions in personal and consensual matters, emphasizing the need for fair and unbiased investigations.
Case Title : X vs. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH | SLP(Crl) No. 003154 – / 2025
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