SUPREME COURT GRANTS BAIL IN INTERFAITH CASE

Supreme Court grants bail in interfaith marriage case, says state can’t object with family consent.

Case Overview

Case Name – Aman Siddiqui vs State of Uttarakhand

The Supreme Court of India recently granted bail to Aman Siddiqui, a Muslim man arrested under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act after marrying a Hindu woman . The arrest followed allegations of unlawful religious conversion . The marriage, however had the full consent of both families . A Bench led by Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma ruled in favour of Siddiqui stating that the State cannot object to a consensual interfaith marriage .

Key Aspects

The Court examined the factual background and legal charges filed against Siddiqui . Despite no complaint from the wife or her family he faced serious allegations .

• Aman Siddiqui was booked under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018 .
  
• He was charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Act and Sections 318(4) and 319 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .
  
• The complaint was filed by unrelated third parties .
  
• He had been in custody for six months; bail was denied earlier by the High Court .
  
• The marriage was arranged and supported by both families . 

Legal Insights

The case involved multiple legal provisions concerning alleged forced religious conversion and cheating .

• Section 3, Uttarakhand Act: Ban on conversion through misrepresentation or force .
  
• Section 5 : Punishment for unlawful conversion .
  
• Section 318(4) BNS : Cheating .
  
• Section 319 BNS : Cheating by personation .
  
• Supreme Court emphasized liberty and absence of coercion or fraud . 

Court’s Verdict

The Supreme Court of India held that the State had no legal ground to object to a consensual interfaith marriage where both families supported the union . It granted bail noting that continued detention was unwarranted under the Anti Conversion law in such circumstances .

Source- Supreme Court of India 

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