The Supreme Court dismissed Uttar Pradesh’s request to overturn the interim bail granted to Dr. Rajendra Bihari Lal, the Vice Chancellor of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences (SHUATS), regarding a case of alleged forceful religious conversion. The Court upheld the bail given on March 4, 2024, with the condition that Lal cooperates with the investigation related to FIR No. 693 of 2023 filed at Police Station Naini, Prayagraj, on December 31, 2023.
In December 2023, two FIRs were filed against Lal: FIR No. 538 of 2023 and FIR No. 693 of 2023. The former includes charges of attempt to murder, intentional insult to breach peace, extortion, and conversion through unlawful means under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act 2021. Lal was arrested in connection with FIR No. 693 of 2023 and was remanded in FIR No. 538 of 2023.
On March 4, the Supreme Court directed Lal’s release on bail for both FIRs, with the bail conditions to be set by the Sessions Court, not exceeding Rs 25,000. Following this, Uttar Pradesh sought to recall the bail, arguing that Lal’s bail application was pending before the High Court. The Supreme Court, considering Lal’s prolonged custody and the delay in the High Court’s decision, confirmed the bail order on March 4, 2024, with the condition that Lal cooperates with the Investigating Officer regarding FIR No. 693 of 2023.
The bench led by CJI Chandrachud, along with Justice JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that Lal’s bail application was pending before the High Court since February 5, 2024, and was scheduled for listing on March 6, 2024. Due to these circumstances, the Supreme Court intervened to protect Lal’s liberty.
Several other FIRs were filed against Lal and other SHUATS officials over mass religious conversion allegations. The Supreme Court has granted relief in some of these cases as well.
