SC grants bail in UP religious conversion case, terms 1.5 years in custody ‘unfortunate’

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has granted bail to an accused booked under provisions of the IPC and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021, observing that the Allahabad High Court had overlooked crucial aspects while rejecting his plea.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan directed that the petitioner, Vishal Rana alias Tabish Asghar, be released on bail forthwith, subject to terms and conditions to be imposed by the trial court.

The apex court was hearing a special leave petition (SLP) challenging a November 14, 2025, order of the Allahabad High Court, which had denied bail to the accused in a case registered at Sector 113 police station in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Noida.

The FIR was registered under Sections 323, 506, and 313 of the IPC, as well as Sections 3 and 5(1) of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.

Taking note of the stage of the trial, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench observed that the charge sheet had already been filed and the case was pending before a sessions court in Noida, with only one witness examined so far.

It further noted that the petitioner had been in custody since December 3, 2024. “It is unfortunate that the petitioner is in judicial custody as an under-trial prisoner for more than one and a half years in this type of matter,” the top court remarked.