Supreme Court refuses plea by SHUATS alleging efforts to destroy its minority character

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition filed by Sam Higginbottom Charitable Society alleging a systematic effort in the state of Uttar Pradesh to destroy the minority character of the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj.

A bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran refused a writ petition filed under Article 32 seeking directions to the state authorities to take cognisance of the representation made by the University regarding the forceful installation of idols in the Dean's office.

The plea also alleged celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in the University premises as opposed to the minority character of the University.

Senior Advocate Siddarth Dave told the Supreme Court today that the police was doing nothing because they were controlled by the state. Court was further told that a group of miscreants conducted religious ceremonies compelling students, including those of other faiths, to participate. "This coerced participation and forcible imposition of non-Christian religious ceremonies glaringly violate the Petitioners constitutional right to preserve its minority character and are an affront to its autonomy guaranteed under Article 30(1). The police and State authorities, notwithstanding prior notice and a duty to protect minorities, failed to take prompt and effective action, thereby acting in contravention of their constitutional obligations.", the plea stated.

Refusing to entertain the petition, CJI Gavai asked the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court under Article 226.

SHUATS has been linked to an illegal mass conversion case. The Supreme Court had in May this year quashed the FIR and all related criminal proceedings against Vinod Bihari Lal, Director of SHUATS, effectively ending a high-profile case involving allegations of illegal religious conversions.

Allahabad High Court had refused to quash the said FIR stating that stated that no authentic religious institution, whether it be a Church, Temple, or Mosque, would endorse such misconduct by priests or spiritual leaders.

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

As per the Uttar Pradesh police Vinod Bihari Lal and Rajendra Bihar Lal had received over Rs 34 crores from several foreign countries and used it for illegal conversion. The funds were received from foreign countries to SHUATS from where it is transmitted to the "Yeshu Darbar Trust" and further distributed in cash to the Pastors of the churches involved in the said offence as well as staff of Broadwell hospital which further used the said money for illegal conversion of the marginalised people of Hindu and Muslim faith to Christianity by allurement and fraud.

Case Title: SAM HIGGINBOTTOM EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE SOCIETY vs. STATE OF UP

Hearing Date: September 4, 2025

Bench: CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran