"State can't object to interfaith couple residing together who got married as per parents' wishes", Supreme Court grants bail to man

The Supreme Court last month granted bail to a man accused of offences under punishable under Sections 3/5 of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018.

The said provisions deal with prohibition on conversion from one religion to another religion by misrepresentation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, allurement or marriage and the punishment thereof.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and SC Sharma was told that a frivolous complainant has been lodged against the appellant before court only because he was married to a lady who is following a different faith.

Court was further informed that the marriage between the parties was an arranged marriage. The facts were known to both sides. The families voluntarily decided to arrange the marriage of the appellant with the lady.

"However, soon after the marriage certain persons and certain organizations seemed to have objected to the marriage. This resulted in the FIR No.609 dated 12.12.2024 being lodged against the appellant herein", Senior Advocate Sanjeev Kumar further told the bench.

Supreme Court's bench noted the State could not have any objection to the appellant and his wife residing together inasmuch as they have been married as per the wishes to their respective parents and families.

"In the circumstances, we find that this is an appropriate case where the relief of bail ought to be granted to the appellant herein. We also make it clear that the pendency of the criminal proceeding against the appellant herein would not come in the way of the appellant and his wife residing together on their own volition", it ordered.

Case Title: AMAN SIDDIQUI ALIAS AMAN CHAUDHARY ALIAS RAJA vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND