The Allahabad High Court's recent decision declined the request to dismiss an FIR filed against the Vice Chancellor and several officials from the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science (SHUATS).

The accused faced allegations of coercing a woman into adopting Christianity by using offers of employment and other incentives. The court stressed that authentic religious institutions would not endorse or tolerate such unethical practices.'

The Bench, consisting of Justice Rahul Chaturvedi and Justice Mohd. Azhar Husain Idrisi, asserted that reputable religious institutions, spanning across churches, Temples, or Mosques, would not support such misconduct by priests or spiritual leaders.

The court expressed, "No genuine God, church, Temple, or mosque would condone such misconduct. If someone willingly chooses to convert to a different religion, that's a separate matter. However, in this case, influencing a young girl's impressionable mind with gifts, clothing, and other material comforts, then pressuring her for baptism, is an unforgivable wrongdoing."

The court delivered these remarks while rejecting the plea for relief from the accused, which included SHUATS Vice Chancellor Professor Rajendra Bihari Lal and Director Vinod Bihari Lal.

The FIR, lodged in November 2023, detailed the allegations that a lower-middle-class woman was enticed into Christianity through gifts and clothing. The accused, including the SHUATS VC, purportedly coerced her to recruit other women for conversion and unlawful pursuits. Additionally, the victim asserted that she experienced ongoing sexual exploitation.

The court observed that the victim, under the influence of a senior priest, was manipulated into embracing Christianity with the promise of job stability. While the accused argued that the victim concocted the story as retaliation for her termination in 2022, the court deemed the allegations grave and deeply disturbing.

Given the severity of the accusations and the ongoing inquiry, the court declined to intervene and directed the Superintendent of Police, Hamirpur, to oversee the investigation conducted by three senior police officers.

The court emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive and transparent investigation to be completed within 90 days. It directed the accused individuals to surrender before the court by December 20, 2023, and advised them to apply for regular bail. As a result, the criminal writ petition was consequently resolved and closed by the court.