The Allahabad High Court has directed Shamli Police not to interfere with 31-year-old Ayush Malik after he told the court that he had converted to Islam of his own free will and wanted to live with his wife, Chandni Qureshi.
Malik was produced before the court on Wednesday after allegations that he had been illegally detained following his conversion and marriage to a Muslim woman.
The court also reprimanded the authorities over the circumstances surrounding his detention and directed that Malik’s personal liberty be protected.
Ayush Malik Says He Converted Voluntarily
During the hearing, Malik told the court that he had accepted Islam voluntarily and without any coercion. He also expressed his wish to reside with Chandni Qureshi.
The development came after Malik’s friend, Sultan, approached the High Court through a habeas corpus petition seeking his production.
The petition alleged that Malik had been kept in his father’s custody with the alleged assistance of state authorities after he converted to Islam and married Chandni against his father’s wishes.
Court Had Ordered His Production
On September 9, Justice Sandeep Jain had directed the Uttar Pradesh authorities and Malik’s father, Devraj Singh Malik, to produce him before the court on September 16.
The court had described the allegations of illegal detention and the alleged involvement of state authorities as “serious in nature”.
According to the petition, Malik had converted to Islam and subsequently married Chandni voluntarily. His father later allegedly filed an FIR against Chandni and her relatives at Shamli police station on June 6, 2026.
The case was registered under provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, along with sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The petitioners had described the FIR as “false and motivated” and alleged that Malik was being deprived of his personal liberty.
Court Says Police Should Not Interfere
After Malik was produced before the court, he confirmed his decision to follow Islam and his wish to live with his wife.
The High Court directed the police not to interfere with the couple’s decision and his personal liberty.
The case has also brought renewed attention to questions concerning an adult’s freedom to choose a religion and spouse. The court’s earlier order had noted that the material before it prima facie indicated that Malik had voluntarily converted to Islam and married Chandni, while making clear that it was not making a final determination on the allegations at that stage.
The proceedings will continue before the Allahabad High Court.
