Hindu-Muslim Couple Missing After Court Hearing; Allahabad HC To Hold Special Saturday Sitting on Habeas Corpus Plea
Court has directed state authorities to produce Shane Ali and Rashmi before the court on October 18, calling the matter “very urgent”
The Allahabad High Court orders urgent Saturday sitting after interfaith couple goes missing post-hearing
The Allahabad High Court has directed a special sitting on Saturday after an interfaith couple, who had appeared before the court earlier this week, reportedly went missing immediately after their hearing. Court’s decision was taken notwithstanding the fact that Saturday is ordinarily a non-working day for the High Court.
A division bench comprising Justices Salil Kumar Rai and Divesh Chandra Samant on Friday directed state authorities to produce Shane Ali and Rashmi before the court at 12 noon on October 18.
The bench observed that, based on the averments in a habeas corpus petition, the matter was “very urgent.”
"We are conscious that tomorrow is a non-working day. However, respondents shall produce the corpus in this Court, i.e., Court No. 43, and the office shall make necessary arrangements for the sitting of the Court," the order stated.
The habeas corpus plea has been moved by Tehseem, brother of Shane Ali, through Advocates Ali Bin Saif and Kaif Hasan. The petition states that Shane and Rashmi, both adults, went missing soon after the court proceedings on October 15 in a batch of cases arising out of an FIR lodged by Rashmi’s father, who had accused Shane of abducting his daughter after she eloped with him.
During that hearing, Rashmi had appeared before the bench and categorically stated that she was living with Shane of her own free will and intended to marry him.
However, the plea recounts that soon after the couple exited the court premises, they could not be traced.
The plea further alleges that despite the High Court’s earlier direction granting police protection to the couple, no such protection was ever provided. Instead, it claims, the police continued to harass members of Shane’s family, including his brother and petitioner, Tehseem.
According to the petition, Shane had informed his brother that Rashmi’s father was present outside the court with four to five masked men who had earlier tried to stop the couple from entering the court complex. Later in the day, around 5 p.m., Shane again called his brother, saying he was being followed by the same group of men, including Rashmi’s father.
The matter was immediately brought to the court’s notice, following which the government advocate was asked by the court to contact the concerned Station House Officer (SHO) and ensure that the couple did not leave Prayagraj city limits.
The plea further states that Shane's brother approached the Civil Lines Police Station the same evening and submitted a written complaint, but was redirected to the Civil Lines chowki. There, he waited for several hours, yet did not receive a copy of any registered FIR.
The petition underscores that Shane’s life is in grave danger, claiming that the masked men had even tried to assault him on October 15 outside the court premises.
In these circumstances, Shane’s brother has sought the court’s urgent intervention through the present habeas corpus plea, praying for directions to the police to trace and produce Shane before the court.
“Otherwise, the petitioner shall suffer an irreparable loss and injury,” the plea states.
Case Title: Tehseem And Another vs State Of U.P. And 5 Others
Order Date: October 17, 2025
Bench: Justices Salil Kumar Rai and Divesh Chandra Samant