A religious conversion case in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, has become intricate as police arrested a woman, Chandni Qureshi, and her father, Islam Qureshi, following allegations of a 30-year-old man’s conversion to Islam. The case, triggered by a complaint from businessman Devraj Malik, claimed that his son, Ayush Malik, converted to Islam under the guise of marriage after a relationship with Chandni, who worked as his physiotherapist and gym trainer.
Ayush Malik, now known as Mohammad Ali, refuted claims of coercion, asserting his voluntary conversion to Islam nearly 12 years ago. He revealed that his marriage to Chandni was conducted in accordance with Islamic customs four years ago in Shamli. Despite familial pressure to revert to Hinduism, Ayush remains steadfast in his faith and expressed challenges in updating his official documents to reflect his new identity.
Police have registered a case against nine individuals, including a maulvi, under relevant laws, investigating allegations of forced conversion, financial exploitation, and intimidation. Ayush denied any financial motives behind his conversion, emphasizing his belief that destiny, not monetary gain, guides his path.
Shamli Superintendent of Police NP Singh affirmed the necessity of a criminal probe into the allegations, focusing on determining the legality of the conversion and marriage processes, particularly regarding potential deception, forgery, or coercion.
