Latest news with #AmanSiddiqui
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
SC bail to man booked for inter-faith marriage
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail to a man who was booked by the Uttarakhand Police under the anti-conversion law for marrying a woman of another faith. In February this year, the Uttarakhand High Court had refused to enlarge the accused Aman Siddiqui alias Aman Chaudhary on bail, prompting him to file an appeal before the top court. An FIR was lodged with Rudrapur Police Station of Udham Singh Nagar district against the appellant under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018 and Sections 318(4) and 319 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita, 2023. The appellant's counsel contended that a frivolous complaint was lodged since the accused married a woman who follows a different faith. Further, it was submitted that the marriage between the parties was an arranged marriage, and the families of both sides voluntarily decided to arrange the marriage of the appellant with the woman. The FIR was registered soon after certain persons and organisations objected to the inter-faith marriage. Although the police filed a charge sheet against the appellant, he remained in jail for nearly six months. In its judgement, the apex court observed that the respondent state government cannot have any objection to the appellant and his wife residing together inasmuch as they have been married as per the wishes of their respective parents and families. It clarified that the pendency of the criminal proceeding against the appellant would not come in the way of him and his wife residing together on their own volition. 'In the circumstances, we find that this is an appropriate case where the relief of bail ought to be granted to the appellant herein,' a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chand Sharma ordered. Allowing the appeal, the Justice Nagarathna-led Bench ordered the appellant to be produced before the trial court concerned as early as possible, which will release him on bail, subject to such conditions as the trial court may deem appropriate to impose to ensure his presence in the criminal case. It also directed the appellant to extend 'complete cooperation' in the ensuing trial and not to misuse his liberty. 'Any infraction of the conditions shall entail cancellation of bail granted to the appellant,' the top court cautioned.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'State Can't Object When Families Agree': SC Grants Bail To Man Jailed For Interfaith Marriage
Last Updated: Aman Siddiqui had been in jail for nearly six months after being booked under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to a man who was arrested under Uttarakhand's anti-conversion law after he married a woman of a different faith with the full consent of both families. Aman Siddiqui had been in jail for nearly six months after being booked under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act. He was accused of religious conversion through marriage, even though the marriage was consensual and supported by both families. In a ruling delivered on 19 May, a Supreme Court bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma observed that the state cannot object to the couple's decision to live together as their marriage was voluntary and had the approval of their respective parents, Bar and Bench reported. 'We observe that the respondent – State cannot 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," the Court said. Siddiqui was charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibit and penalise religious conversion through force, fraud, or inducement. He was also booked under Sections 318(4) and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which relate to cheating and impersonation. He had initially sought bail from the Uttarakhand High Court, but it was denied. He then approached the Supreme Court, where his lawyer argued that the case was baseless and filed solely due to the interfaith nature of the marriage, which in fact had the consent of both families. The counsel also pointed out that the chargesheet had already been filed and that Siddiqui had spent almost half a year in custody.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Both are adults: Top court grants bail to Muslim man jailed for interfaith marriage
The Supreme Court has granted bail to a man arrested under the Uttarkhand Freedom of Religion Act for getting married to a woman of different faith. The court, while granting bail to the accused, said that both the man and the woman were adults and got married in the presence of both families and had full knowledge of each other's religion. advertisementThe court also stated the state cannot have any objection to the couple residing together as they have been married as per the wishes of their respective parents and families. The accused, Aman Siddiqui alias Aman Chaudhary, was arrested on the basis of an FIR filed by a few extended members of the woman's family and 'certain organisations' at Rudrapur police station of Udham Singh Nagar district under Section 3/5 of Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act and Sections 318(4) and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Uttarakhand High Court had rejected the bail application of Siddiqui and he has been in jail for nearly six lawyer argued before the court that the marriage between the couple was an arranged one. However, soon after the marriage, certain people and certain organisations seemed to have objected to the marriage. advertisementHis lawyer also said that if granted bail, the couple would reside separately from the families and continue to live peacefully without any hindrance. The top court has instructed the trial court to release him immediately. Must Watch
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Supreme Court Grants Relief To Man Detained Over Interfaith Union
The Supreme Court has granted bail to a man who faced imprisonment under Uttarakhand's Freedom of Religion Act following his marriage to a woman from a different religious background. The apex court emphasized that both individuals were consenting adults who entered into matrimony with complete awareness of each other's religious affiliations and with the full knowledge and presence of their respective families. In delivering its judgment, the court articulated that the state lacks any legitimate grounds to object to the couple's cohabitation, particularly given that their union was conducted according to the wishes and approval of both families involved. This judicial pronouncement underscores the constitutional principle that adult citizens possess the fundamental right to make personal choices regarding marriage and residence. The case centers around Aman Siddiqui, who also goes by the name Aman Chaudhary, and his subsequent arrest following complaints filed by extended members of his wife's family along with certain unspecified organizations. The formal complaint was lodged at Rudrapur police station in Udham Singh Nagar district, leading to charges under Section 3/5 of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act as well as Sections 318(4) and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The legal proceedings took a challenging turn when the Uttarakhand High Court initially rejected Siddiqui's bail application, resulting in his incarceration for approximately six months. This prolonged detention occurred despite arguments from his legal representation that the marriage was an arranged union conducted through proper family channels rather than any clandestine or coercive arrangement. Defense counsel presented arguments emphasizing the legitimate nature of the matrimonial alliance, noting that the marriage had been arranged through traditional family processes. However, the legal team acknowledged that certain individuals and organizations had raised objections to the union following its completion, leading to the criminal charges and subsequent arrest. The lawyer representing Siddiqui provided assurances to the court that, upon the granting of bail, the couple would establish their residence independently from their respective families. This arrangement was proposed to ensure they could continue their married life peacefully without external interference or pressure from opposing parties. The Supreme Court's decision reflects a broader judicial approach that prioritizes individual rights and constitutional freedoms over religious or social objections to interfaith marriages. The court's reasoning centers on the fundamental principle that adult citizens possess the autonomy to make decisions about their personal relationships and living arrangements without unwarranted state intervention. This ruling carries significance beyond the immediate case, as it reinforces legal precedents supporting interfaith marriages conducted between consenting adults. The judgment emphasizes that marriages performed with family knowledge and consent, regardless of religious differences, deserve legal protection rather than criminal prosecution. The apex court has directed the trial court to facilitate Siddiqui's immediate release from custody, bringing an end to his extended detention. This directive ensures swift implementation of the bail order and allows the couple to resume their married life while any remaining legal proceedings continue through appropriate channels. The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious conversion laws and constitutional protections for personal freedom, particularly in matters of marriage and religious choice. The Supreme Court's intervention serves as a reminder that individual rights must be balanced against community concerns while ensuring that legal frameworks do not infringe upon fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
