In a hearing marked by sharp judicial remarks and an unusual level of courtroom candour, the Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench on Thursday quashed an FIR accusing a Bahraich-based man and others of abducting and converting a woman by force. The bench, comprising Justice Abdul Moin and Justice Babita Rani, said the case was “a glaring example” of state authorities “scrambling to score brownie points”, even after the alleged victim herself denied the accusations.
Background
The case began when Pankaj Kumar Verma lodged an FIR alleging that his wife, Vandana Verma, had been taken away by the petitioners, who he claimed ran a “religious conversion gang”. The FIR was registered under Section 140(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with kidnapping for the purpose of murder or harmful confinement, and later, more serious conversion-related charges were added.
However, Vandana returned soon after and made statements before the police stating she had left her home voluntarily because of domestic violence. “My husband beats me regularly,” she told the Investigating Officer on September 19, adding that she had travelled on her own and no conversion attempt had taken place.
Despite this, one of the accused, Umed @ Ubaid Kha, remained in jail for over a month.
Court’s Observations
The bench was visibly displeased with the conduct of the authorities. Calling the FIR “vexatious,” the Court noted that Vandana’s statements, recorded on multiple dates, clearly showed no abduction or conversion.
The bench observed, “When the authorities had the victim’s statement clarifying no offence had occurred, corrective action ought to have been taken. Instead, the petitioner continues to languish in jail.”
The Court pointed out that charges under the prohibition of unlawful religious conversion law carry severe punishment but cannot be invoked based on assumptions. It also said that offences relating to breach of trust (Sections 316(2) and 317(2) BNS) did not justify the arrest.
Strongly criticizing the police, the bench remarked that the State had “failed to apply the law even when the truth was clear from the record.”
Decision
The Court quashed the FIR and all related proceedings, ordering that petitioner Umed be immediately released, provided he is not wanted in any other case. It also imposed an exemplary cost of ₹75,000 on the State of Uttar Pradesh, directing that ₹50,000 be paid to the petitioner and ₹25,000 deposited with the Court’s Legal Aid Services.
The order ended at that, without further directions.
Case Title: Umed @ Ubaid Kha & Others vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others
Court: Hon’ble Justice Abdul Moin & Hon’ble Justice Babita Rani
Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench
Order dated: 30 October 2025