Prayagraj ADM approves conversion plea after HC rap

Prayagraj: Following a reprimand from the Allahabad high court earlier this month, the additional district magistrate (administration), Prayagraj, approved the religious conversion application of a man who had voluntarily converted from Islam to Hinduism in 2022.Taking the development on record, a division bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Indrajeet Shukla, in its order dated May 27, disposed of a petition filed by Anil Pandit, formerly known as Mohammad Ahashan. Pandit, an assistant professor at an institute affiliated with the University of Allahabad, had approached the court after his application remained pending.According to the petitioner’s counsel, Ashish Srivastava, the HC, on May 5, directed the ADM to decide the petitioner’s conversion application afresh. The court had asked the authority to adopt a pragmatic approach while taking into account the first two inquiry reports, which confirmed that the conversion had been undertaken voluntarily.Srivastava said the court had also considered its interaction with the petitioner and his wife before issuing the directions.Granting interim relief to the couple, the high court had observed that the petitioner was free to live a dignified married life with his wife and directed the police not to interfere in their personal affairs. The court had further instructed the authority to pass a fresh order on the conversion application within three weeks.On Jan 12, 2022, the petitioner made a declaration under section 8 of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion ofReligion Act, 2021, showing his intent to convert. On Feb 11, 2022, a priest also gave declaratory information to theDM regarding the upcoming conversion ritual. Finally, on March 14, 2022, the conversion rituals were performed at an Arya Samaj temple.Court records show that two police inquiry reports submitted between 2022 and 2023 had concluded that the petitioner’s conversion was voluntary and not the result of any coercion or undue influence. Despite these findings, the ADM sought another police report after a criminal case was registered against the petitioner on a complaint lodged by his wife’s father, who, according to him, had no role in the conversion process.Subsequently, on Aug 9, 2024, the ADM rejected the petitioner’s request for a conversion certificate. The decision was based on a police report submitted in July 2024, which referred to the FIR registered against the petitioner and the filing of a chargesheet in the case.The ADM, relying on the latest police report, concluded that the petitioner had converted to Hinduism with the primary objective of marrying a Hindu woman whom he was alleged to have influenced or enticed.The order also treated a financial transaction of Rs 1 lakh between the couple in April 2021 as a significant circumstance supporting the conclusion that the conversion was not legally valid. Based on these considerations, the ADM rejected the petitioner’s application for a conversion certificate.