Ayush Malik Case: Allahabad High Court Upholds Right to Choose Islam and Partner

In a significant ruling on September 16, 2026, the Allahabad High Court restored the personal liberty of Ayush Malik, a pharmaceutical businessman from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. The court affirmed that as an adult, Malik possesses the absolute legal right to choose his religion and life partner, regardless of familial disapproval.

Constitutional Autonomy and the Choice of इस्लाम

The case centered on Ayush Malik's conversion to इस्लाम (Islam), which he testified occurred in 2014 of his own free will. During the proceedings, Malik stated that his decision was made without any "दबाव, धमकी, अनुचित प्रभाव या प्रलोभन" (pressure, threats, undue influence, or inducement) [1]. He further expressed his desire to marry Chandni Qureshi, asserting that his personal autonomy should not be curtailed by his parents' wishes.

Article 25 vs. State Anti-Conversion Laws

The ruling highlights the legal intersection between constitutional guarantees and state-level legislation. While the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act was invoked in this case, the High Court prioritized the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Justice Sandeep Jain emphasized that under Article 25, every adult has the right to follow their conscience in choosing a religion. The court noted that while a father's concern for his son may be understandable, such concerns cannot supersede the constitutional rights of an adult. Consequently, the court ruled there was no legal basis to restrict Malik's freedom, allowing him to reside where he chooses and practice the faith of his choice [3].

Property Disputes and Coerced Videos

The case was complicated by allegations from Malik's father, Devraj Malik, who claimed a conspiracy to seize family property. This led to the arrest of Chandni Qureshi and her father, Islam Qureshi, in June 2026. However, Ayush Malik dismissed these claims, stating he has no property in his name and had suggested his father transfer assets to his mother and sisters to ensure property was not used as a legal issue [1].

Further confusion arose from a viral video in June 2026 showing Malik appearing to return to Hinduism. Malik later clarified to the court that this video was produced under "भावनात्मक दवाब" (emotional pressure) involving his mother, rather than a genuine change of heart.

Police Action Against Misinformation

Following the High Court's decision, the Shamli police took action against the spread of false information. On September 17, 2026, cases were filed against six social media handles for claiming that the court had "reprimanded" the police. Authorities clarified that the court's order focused on the individual's liberty and did not involve a reprimand of the police force [2].

Key Event	Date/Timeline	Outcome/Detail
Initial Conversion	2014	Ayush Malik converts to Islam voluntarily.
Family Complaint	June 6, 2026	FIR filed; Chandni and Islam Qureshi arrested.
HC Ruling	Sept 16, 2026	Personal liberty restored; Article 25 upheld.
Misinfo Crackdown	Sept 17, 2026	6 social media handles booked for fake news.