A Shamli district resident who had converted to Islam for a woman he was in a relationship with has returned to Hinduism, even as a criminal case linked to his conversion remains under police investigation.
Ayush Malik, a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate who helps run his family’s medical store, said in a video circulating on social media that he had embraced Islam for the woman he loved, but had decided to return to Hinduism after seeing the pain his decision had caused his family. In the video, he is seen performing Hindu rituals at his residence alongside his parents, apologising to them, and speaking about his decision to remain with his family.
Yashveer Maharaj, of Yog Sadhana Ashram, who had publicly raised the issue earlier, confirmed Malik’s reconversion to media. He said Malik had resumed Hindu worship practices at home and had removed all articles associated with the Muslim faith from the house. He described the development as the result of a public campaign on the matter and called it a resolution for the family after weeks of distress.
Background of the Case
The reconversion comes weeks after Uttar Pradesh Police arrested physiotherapist Chandni Qureshi and her father, Islam Qureshi, following a complaint filed by Malik’s father, Devraj Malik, under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
According to the complaint, Ayush Malik first met Chandni Qureshi in 2018 while receiving treatment for a leg injury at a hospital in Shamli. Police said the two later developed a relationship, after which Chandni and members of her family allegedly influenced him to convert to Islam.
The FIR alleges that Malik was taken to Delhi in 2023, where he converted and adopted the name Mohammad Ali, and that a nikah ceremony was performed there. Police have stated they have not recovered any marriage certificate during the investigation. Investigators have said that following the conversion, Malik began observing Islamic religious practices, including five daily prayers, growing a beard, and changing his style of dress.
Devraj Malik has alleged that the conversion was part of a larger conspiracy to gain control of the family’s property, which he claims is worth several crores of rupees. This claim forms part of the criminal complaint and has not been independently verified.
Police arrested four people, including Chandni Qureshi and her father, on June 7. The FIR names nine people under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering extortion, cheating, forgery, and criminal intimidation, in addition to charges under the state’s anti-conversion law. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the case, which remains ongoing.
The current status of Chandni Qureshi and the other accused in custody has not been separately confirmed following Malik’s reconversion.
