Introduction:

The Supreme Court recently affirmed the interim protection granted to key figures, including the Vice Chancellor and Director of SHUATS, in the SHUATS mass religious conversion case. The case involves allegations of unlawful conversion at the Evangelical Church of India, leading to a series of legal complexities, including anticipatory bail pleas, FIR quashing, and consolidation of cases.

Arguments of Both Sides:

The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocates Siddharth Dave, CU Singh, Siddharth Aggarwal, and Mukta Gupta, highlighted concerns about the multiplicity of FIRs, subsequent to the initial case, and the need for consolidation. On the other side, UP Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad defended the state’s actions, countering claims of a flawed process and ensuring the court that investigations were complete in some instances.

Court’s Judgement:

After a detailed exchange in the courtroom, Justice JB Pardiwala confirmed interim protection, clarifying that it does not affect the merits of the case during trial. The court disposed of five anticipatory bail pleas, noting the completion of investigation and chargesheet filing in FIR No.224/2022. The order emphasized that anticipatory bail doesn’t impact the trial’s merits, affirming the accused’s protection granted earlier by thecourt.