Allahabad High Court affirms adult's right to change faith and marry
The Allahabad High Court ruled that 31-year-old Ayush Malik, an adult, can freely convert to Islam and marry a Muslim woman despite his father's objections.
In a Wednesday hearing, the Allahabad High Court rejected a habeas corpus petition alleging that Ayush Malik, 31, was being held by his father after he voluntarily embraced Islam and married Chandni Qureshi. Justice Sandeep Jain noted that Malik, as an adult, is entitled to decide his faith and marital partner without coercion. The father, Devraj Singh Malik, had lodged a police complaint invoking the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, prompting an FIR and a BNS against the wife and her family at Shamli Police Station.
Malik's representative claimed the father colluded with authorities to detain him illegally. The court characterized the detention claim and alleged state involvement as serious matters requiring prompt attention. The order reaffirms the legal principle that adults can freely choose religion and marriage partners, even against parental opposition.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores adult religious freedom and interfaith marriage rights under Indian law.
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