In a groundbreaking court decision dated March 6th, an individual by the name of Mohammad Anees Ahmed, originating from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, faced a life imprisonment sentence. This judgement followed his conviction for the deceitful entrapment and subsequent religious conversion of a Hindu woman under false pretenses. This severe legal action was undertaken by a specialized SC/ST court located in Bulandshahr, which found him guilty under several laws, including the Religious Conversion Act, the SC/ST Act, and pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In addition to the life sentence, the court mandated Ahmed to pay a penalty amounting to Rs 4.56 lakh, marking a pivotal moment in the enforcement of the state's laws against unlawful religious conversion.

This particular sentencing is notably the first instance where a life term has been imposed under the stringent provisions of the Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act of Uttar Pradesh. This act, designed to curb forced conversions, underscores the gravity with which the state regards such offenses, especially when intertwined with deceit and exploitation.

The story of deception began when Mohammad Anees Ahmed assumed the false identity of a Hindu man, "Akash," to befriend a Dalit woman from Mangolpuri, Delhi. In a calculated move about eight months ago, he persuaded her to relocate to the Gulaothi area in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. There, they started living together in a rented accommodation, a setup that was predicated on falsehoods and manipulative promises. Ahmed's repeated sexual relations with the woman were conducted under the hollow promise of marriage, a deceitful act that culminated in her forced conversion to Islam, subsequently renaming her "Ayesha."

After establishing a deceptive relationship under the guise of a different religious identity, the perpetrator, Mohammad Anees Ahmed, revealed his true religious affiliation to the victim. This revelation was not just a shock but also a precursor to a more alarming act: he forcefully converted her to Islam and gave her a new name, "Ayesha." This action marked a profound betrayal, shattering the trust she had placed in him. However, the breach of trust didn't end there. After some time, he left her, abandoning the woman he had vowed to marry. Before his departure, he committed theft, taking away Rs 2.50 lakh and her gold jewelry, leaving her in a state of financial and emotional ruin.

In her attempts to seek answers and closure, the victim reached out to him. Yet, instead of explanations or remorse, she was met with hostility and contempt. He insulted her using casteist slurs, stating, “I cannot marry you because you are a chamar,” before abruptly ending the communication. This rejection based on her caste was not only a personal attack but highlighted the deep-seated prejudices still prevalent in society, adding another layer of injustice to her ordeal.

The legal journey began when the victim took the courageous step of filing a complaint on April 27, 2022. Acting on her complaint, the police swiftly moved to compile evidence against Ahmed, resulting in a charge sheet submitted to the court. The seriousness with which the authorities treated this case is evidenced by the conduct of the trial under the auspices of the Monitoring Cell Bulandshahr in the High Court. The trial saw the testimony of five witnesses brought against the accused, a clear indication of the thoroughness with which the case was pursued. This legal action fell under “Operation Conviction,” a broader campaign led by the state’s Director General of Police aimed at ensuring justice through rigorous prosecution of offenders.

The legal proceedings took a significant turn when the public prosecutor presented the case details, emphasizing the meticulous process that led to the court's decision. According to the prosecutor, "The chargesheet was submitted in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) court after consideration. The case was registered on 15th March 2022. The female belongs to the SC/ST community while the culprit is a Muslim. The accused deceived the woman by pretending to be a Hindu, brought her to Gulaothi and later disclosed his true identity to her. He changed her religion and started calling her Ayesha. He then left her after taking her money and gold chain.” This statement encapsulates the gravity of the offense, highlighting the accused's calculated deception, exploitation, and eventual abandonment of the victim, coupled with financial theft, thereby exacerbating the betrayal.

Delving deeper into the legal framework applied to this case, the counsel elaborated on the specific laws under which the accused was charged and subsequently convicted. “Sections 376(2), 420, and 406 of the Indian Penal Code as well as 3, 2, and 5 of the SC/ST Act and 3/5 unlawful religious conversion act were involved against the perpetrator. He was pronounced guilty under all the charges and was given life imprisonment which means until his last breath and a penalty of Rs 4.56 lakhs of which Rs 3.50 lakh will be provided to the victim. This is the first case of this nature where a convict is penalised for religious conversion.” This comprehensive legal response underscores the severity of the crimes committed, encompassing fraud, breach of trust, theft, and the unlawful religious conversion under false pretenses. The sentencing not only holds the accused accountable for his actions but also aims to provide a semblance of restitution to the victim, with a significant portion of the penalty allocated for her recovery and rehabilitation.

The Additional Superintendent of Police provided insight into the efficiency and determination with which the authorities handled this case. He highlighted the swift action taken by the police, noting, "The police lodged the chargesheet in a little over a month and the authorities conducted a swift investigation." This rapid response underscores the seriousness with which the case was treated, ensuring that justice was not delayed. Furthermore, the meticulousness of the legal process was evident as "the police produced the witnesses in court on due dates." This ensured that all testimonies were heard in a timely manner, contributing to the thorough examination of the case.

Anees pretended to be Aakash and turned Shashi into Ayesha, the convict got life imprisonment till his last breath

A notable aspect of the trial was the adaptation to technological solutions to overcome logistical challenges. The Additional Superintendent of Police mentioned, "The statement of the doctor who performed a medical examination on the victim was obtained through video conferencing as she had gone to Bengaluru for her postgraduate course and couldn’t physically appear in court." This innovative approach allowed for crucial evidence to be presented without hindering the victim's educational pursuits, showing a commitment to accommodating the needs and circumstances of those involved in the case.

He also pointed out the rarity of the punishment, stating that "it was a very rare punishment after the implementation of the Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020." This remark sheds light on the significance of the sentence handed down, marking it as a landmark decision under the relatively new legislation. The ordinance, aimed at preventing unlawful religious conversions, had seen one of its first major test cases culminate in a decisive action against the accused, reinforcing the law's intent and the state's resolve in upholding it.