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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court has recently refused to quash an FIR against the Vice Chancellor and other officials of the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science (SHUATS).

The accused were alleged to have coerced a woman into adopting Christianity by offering her employment and other inducements. The court emphasized that no genuine religious entity would condone such malpractices.

The bench, comprising Justice Rahul Chaturvedi and Justice Mohd. Azhar Husain Idrisi, stated that no authentic religious institution, whether it be a Church, Temple, or Mosque, would endorse such misconduct by priests or spiritual leaders.

"No God or true Church or Temple or Mosque would approve such type of malpractices. If someone on his own, have chosen to get him converted to different religion is totally another aspect of the issue. In the instant case prevailing upon a tender mind of a young girl providing gifts, clothings and other physical amenities and then asked her to get her baptised is an unpardonable sin," said the court.

Court made these remarks while denying relief to the accused, including SHUATS VC Professor Rajendra Bihari Lal and Director Vinod Bihari Lal.

The FIR, filed in November 2023, alleged that the victim, a lower-middle-class woman, was lured into Christianity through gifts and clothing, with the accused, including the SHUATS VC, allegedly pressuring her to bring other women for conversion and illegal activities. The victim claimed she was also subjected to regular sexual exploitation.

The court noted that the victim, influenced by a higher priest, was manipulated into adopting Christianity for the promise of job security. Despite arguments by the accused that the victim fabricated the story in retaliation for her job termination in 2022, the court found the allegations serious and horrifying.

Considering the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation, the court refused to interfere and ordered the Superintendent of Police, Hamirpur to supervise the investigation by three senior police officers.

Court stressed the need for a thorough and transparent probe within 90 days and directed the accused to surrender before the court by December 20, 2023, while also applying for regular bail. The criminal writ petition was consequently disposed of.

Case Title: Rajendra Bihari Lal And 6 Others v. State Of U.P. And 3 Others