No one can interfere if adult women embrace Islam, marry by choice: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that adult women have the right to freely choose their faith, spouse, and future, without interference from others. In a landmark decision, the court dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Divya Bhatia (20) and Anshu Bhatia (35), who claimed they were illegally confined by their father after converting to Islam and choosing to marry men of their own preference.

Justice Sandeep Jain emphasized that the women are competent adults capable of making autonomous decisions about their lives. If these assertions prove true, any interference by their father or others would violate their constitutional rights to personal liberty, dignity, privacy, and decision-making autonomy. The court, however, stressed its primary responsibility was to verify whether the women had willingly embraced Islam and chosen their spouses.

It ordered the authorities to produce the sisters before the court on August 6 to confirm their decisions were voluntary and to ensure their lawful custody. Failure to comply by the deadline would prompt the police to file affidavits explaining their actions and detailing plans to secure the women's appearance in court. The matter will be revisited for further hearing on the scheduled date.