Religious Conversion: SC Extends Interim Protection from Arrest to SHUATS VC, Ors

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended interim protection from arrest to Rajendra Bihari Lal, the vice-chancellor of Uttar Pradesh’s Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, along with other officials of the institution.

The case involves allegations of illegal religious conversion, rape, and immoral trafficking, as lodged in an FIR by a woman, a former contractual employee of the university, on November 4, 2023, in Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to submit its reply within a week regarding a plea filed by the vice-chancellor. The bench stated, “Interim order to continue until the next date of hearing,” and scheduled the matter for a hearing after three weeks.

Lal and other officials had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order, which directed them to surrender. The high court, in its December 11, 2023, order, mandated their surrender by December 20, 2023, and to apply for regular bail. The court emphasized that the bail application should be thoroughly heard and decided on merits expeditiously, without being influenced by any observations.

While delivering the order, the high court remarked, “No God or true church or temple or mosque would approve such type of malpractices.” It expressed strong disapproval of the accused allegedly exploiting a young girl’s vulnerable position, providing gifts, clothing, and other amenities, and then pressuring her to undergo baptism.

The woman had accused the defendants of sexual exploitation and religious conversion after offering her a job at the university. Lal and the other accused argued in the high court that the FIR was malicious, as the woman had been terminated.

Despite refusing to quash the FIR, the high court underscored the gravity of the allegations, describing them as “extremely serious and horrifying.” It acknowledged the exploitation of the woman’s financial situation to induce her into conversion, and deemed the sexual exploitation allegations in the FIR as abhorrent.

The high court directed the Hamirpur superintendent of police to personally oversee the transparent probe conducted by three officials of circle officer ranks. It further instructed a superintendent of police to ensure an impartial investigation within 90 days and to submit a report before a magistrate.