sc-grants-bail-in-uttarakhand-interfaith-marriage-case

The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Aman Siddiqui, a resident of Uttarakhand, who was arrested under the state's Freedom of Religion Act following his interfaith marriage to a Hindu woman.

 

The Court observed that the state could not object to a marriage that was conducted with the consent of both families.

 

Siddiqui was taken into custody on 12 December 2024, just two days after his wedding, and had remained behind bars for nearly six months. The wedding was performed according to Hindu rituals and reportedly arranged with the full approval of both families.

 

In its order dated 19 May, a bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma noted, “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 of 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.”

 

According to Siddiqui’s counsel, the marriage was consensual and voluntarily organised by both families.

 

However, certain individuals and groups allegedly raised objections following the ceremony, prompting the filing of the FIR at Rudrapur police station under provisions of the Freedom of Religion Act. Siddiqui’s parents were also named in the complaint, though they were later granted anticipatory bail.

 

The Supreme Court was informed that the couple intended to live separately from their families to avoid any further disturbance and would lead their life peacefully.

 

The bail order comes after the Uttarakhand High Court rejected Siddiqui’s plea on 28 February. Before the high court, Siddiqui had stated that his mother, a practising Hindu, had not converted after marrying a Muslim man, and that he too followed Hindu customs.

 

He mentioned that a sacred thread ceremony had been performed for him by his parents and that his father had distanced himself from his joint family to allow Siddiqui’s mother to continue following Kumaoni Hindu traditions.

 

Despite these submissions, the high court had denied bail, citing that Siddiqui had allegedly concealed his father’s religion.

 

Shortly after the wedding, Siddiqui was reportedly made to sign an undertaking by his wife’s cousins, in which he pledged not to harm her or pressure her to convert. The undertaking also assured that his wife would be free to practise her Hindu faith and traditions without interference.