Islamic Scholars Receive Life Sentence in Conversion Case
Court’s Verdict
A court in Lucknow sentenced Islamic scholars Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, Umar Gautam, and ten others to life imprisonment. The 2021 case focused on alleged forced religious conversions. Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi delivered the verdict under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which covers conspiracy against the state.
Additional Sentences
Besides the life sentence, 16 others, including those sentenced to life, received an additional 10-year jail term. The court also imposed three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 under the Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Religious Conversion (Prohibition) Act, 2021.
Convictions and Charges
The convicted individuals face several charges, including cheating (IPC 417), criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B), promoting enmity between groups (IPC 153A), and conspiracy against the state (IPC 121A). They were also convicted under sections of the Illegal Conversion Act for offenses like forced conversions.
Previous Jail Time Considered
The court noted that the time already spent in jail by the accused will count toward their sentences. Maulana Umar Gautam and Abdullah Omar received five years of rigorous imprisonment and a ₹25,000 fine under Section 35 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Muslim organizations have criticized the investigation, condemning the arrests of scholars involved in religious preaching.
