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The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday denied bail to one Farhan Ahmad (Shanu) accused of committing rape on a woman by establishing physical relations on pretext of marriage, impregnating her and thereafter pressurising her to convert to Islam for marriage.

Considering the seriousness of the allegations against Ahmad, the bench of Justice Om Prakash Tripathi decided not to grant him bail. However, the court did not make any comment on merit of the case and directed the Trial Court to conclude the trial expeditiously or preferably in one year.

As per the prosecution story, the woman came in touch with Ahmad through Facebook where he had stated himself to be Tax Inspector in Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur. Thereafter, when the duo started talking, Ahmad made a proposal of marriage to the victim woman and after such assurance, the couple developed physical relations.

However, when the victim got pregnant, Ahmad pressurised her to abort the pregnancy to which she had to agree under the circumstances. Later on, when the woman asked Ahmad about marriage, he said that he was tolerating the matter and added that until and unless she will not accept Islam Religion he will not marry to her.

The Victim had also alleged that amid the pressure to convert to Islam, on October 1, 2021, Ahmad called her to a park and started abusing her stating that she will also be murdered as he is a very influential person. 

Against this backdrop, the victim woman had lodged a First Information Report in the matter against Ahmad under Sections 376, 504, 506 IPC and 3/5 (1) U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2020.

On the other hand, Ahmad's counsel had refuted all these allegations stating that the matter is of a consensual relationship. He had stated that both the parties were major and also there was no evidence on record about the alleged abortion.

He had contended that Ahmad had never pressurized the victim at any point of time for conversion of her Religion and the entire prosecution story was false and fake.

Taking submission of both the parties, the high court, however, decided that considering the facts and circumstances of the matter, the case was not a fit case for grant of bail. Accordingly, Ahmad's bail petition was rejected. 

Case Title: - Farhan Ahmad (Shanu) v. State Of U.P Thru Secretary Home (Lucknow)