Prayagraj ADM Approves Man's Conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma After Allahabad High Court Order

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj, to pass consequential orders within four weeks after approving a man's application seeking conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

A division bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Indrajeet Shukla passed the order while disposing of a writ petition filed by Anil Pandit alias Mohammad Ahasan after being informed that the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj had already allowed his conversion application on May 14, 2026.

The case arose from an application submitted by the petitioner on May 27, 2022 under Section 9(4) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. During the hearing of the matter, the State informed the court that, in compliance with the high court's earlier order dated May 5, 2026, the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj had passed a final order approving the petitioner's request for conversion.

Earlier, on August 9, 2024, the ADM had rejected the man's application for conversion, relying on an FIR filed by the father of the man's Hindu wife. The wife's father was not happy with the couple's marriage. The high court noted that the man had converted significantly before the marriage and ADM wrongly went into issues surrounding the validity of the marriage instead of restricting the inquiry to whether the conversion itself was voluntary. Through the May 5 order, the high court had directed the ADM to reconsider the matter afresh.

The bench perused the ADM's order dated May 14, 2026. The order recorded that the petitioner's application seeking conversion from Islam to Sanatan Dharma had been accepted under the provisions of the 2021 Act.

Taking note of the development, the high court observed that the prescribed authority had already granted the relief sought by the petitioner. The bench thereafter directed the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Prayagraj to complete the remaining statutory process by passing consequential orders under Section 9(6) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

Court fixed a timeline of four weeks from the date of its order for compliance with the statutory requirement.

The bench also issued directions concerning the petitioner's identity records. It ordered that the petitioner would continue to abide by the undertaking furnished before the court and recorded in its earlier order dated May 5, 2026. Court further directed him to apply for correction and change of name in all official records, including educational testimonials and other relevant documents.

With the petitioner's application having been approved by the competent authority and further directions issued for completion of consequential formalities, court found no reason to keep the matter pending.

Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed of.

Case Title: Anil Pandit @ Mohammad Ahashan vs. State Of U.P. And 2 Others

Order Date : May 27, 2026

Bench: Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Indrajeet Shukla