Allahabad High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Schoolgirl Accused in Religious Conversion and Burqa Pressure Case
By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a school student accused of allegedly influencing and pressuring a minor classmate to adopt Islamic practices and convert her religion.
Justice Avnish Saxena, while allowing the anticipatory bail application of the accused student, Malishka, observed that except for the statement made by the alleged victim, there was no substantial material placed on record at this stage to conclusively establish the applicant’s direct involvement in the alleged offences.
The order, passed on May 4, noted that the court had carefully considered the submissions made by both sides before extending the protection from arrest to the applicant.
During the course of the hearing, counsel appearing for the accused argued that the applicant had already been studying at the concerned institution before the admission of the alleged victim.
It was further submitted that there had been no previous complaint or allegation against the applicant, suggesting that she had ever attempted to influence or pressure any other student to change religion or adopt any particular faith.
The defence also contended that the accusations levelled against the applicant were not supported by any independent evidence apart from the victim’s statements recorded during the investigation.
Opposing the anticipatory bail plea, the counsel representing the State Government submitted before the court that the victim had made a specific and detailed statement under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), alleging that she had been subjected to continuous influence and religious pressure by the accused and certain other students.
According to the prosecution, the victim had stated that she was allegedly being “brainwashed” and persuaded to change her religion while attending a local tuition centre in Moradabad.
The case arose from an FIR lodged on January 22, 2026, at Bilari Police Station in Moradabad by the brother of the alleged victim, who is a Class 12 student.
In the complaint, it was alleged that five Muslim classmates, including the present accused, had repeatedly pressured his sister to wear a burqa and embrace Islam.
The prosecution further relied upon the victim’s statements recorded under Sections 180 and 183 of the BNSS.
In those statements, the girl reportedly referred to an incident that allegedly took place in December 2025, during which some of the accused students were said to have brought a veil and compelled her to wear it.
After considering the facts and circumstances placed before it, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to the applicant, observing that the matter would ultimately be determined during the course of investigation and trial based on evidence brought on record.
