Two Arrested, Nine Booked in Alleged Religious Conversion Case in UP

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested a woman and her father and booked nine people, including a maulvi , in connection with the alleged religious conversion of a 30-year-old man.

The arrested accused have been identified as Chandni Qureshi and her father, Islam Qureshi . The case was registered following a complaint by medicine trader Devraj Malik , who alleged that his son, Ayush Malik , was converted to Islam under the pretext of marriage. He further claimed that Ayush was taken to Delhi, where a nikah was performed using forged documents .

Superintendent of Police NP Singh said the accused have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to extortion, cheating, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal intimidation , along with the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act . Police said efforts are underway to trace the remaining accused.

The incident has also drawn reactions from Hindu organisations, with some activists demanding strict action and threatening protests over the alleged conversion.

The case has renewed attention on anti-conversion laws , which prohibit religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, misrepresentation or allurement. Supporters argue such laws protect individuals from exploitation, while critics contend they can affect individual freedoms , including the right to choose one’s faith and marriage partner. Similar cases in recent years have triggered recurring legal and political debates over balancing the prevention of unlawful conversions with the protection of personal liberty.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court .