Lucknow court convicts 14 accused under multiple sections; sentencing set for Wednesday
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — Influential Islamic preachers Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui and Maulana Umar Gautam and a dozen others were on Tuesday found guilty in a high-profile conversion case. The Lucknow Sessions Court, under Judge Vivekananda Sharan Tripathi of the NIA-ATS Court, convicted the accused under several sections, including Sections 417, 120B, 153B, 295A, 121A, and 123, as well as Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the relevant law. The court will announce the sentencing on Wednesday, with the possibility of a maximum of life imprisonment or a minimum of ten years.
The case has drawn considerable attention, especially given the involvement of prominent Islamic scholars. Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, a well-known figure who runs the Shah Waliullah Trust in Muzaffarnagar and serves as the Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, was arrested in September 2021. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him, along with three associates, on charges of being part of a group involved in converting individuals to Islam.
The ATS had alleged that Maulana Siddiqui was involved in proselytising and receiving funds from foreign countries to facilitate conversions. He is not the first to face such accusations; others, including Umar Gautam and Mufti Qazi, were also arrested under similar charges.
In a twist, one of the accused, Idris Qureshi, managed to secure a stay from the high court, delaying his sentencing. However, the remaining 14, including Maulana Gautam and Maulana Siddiqui, were taken into custody and sent to jail following the court’s ruling.
“The court has found all the accused guilty under serious charges, which could lead to severe punishment,” stated a legal expert familiar with the case. “This verdict sends a strong message about the legal consequences of such activities.”
The court’s decision will mark a crucial moment in the case, as it will determine the length of the sentences for each of the convicted individuals. Both the prosecution and defence are expected to present their final arguments before the sentences are handed down.
The case has stirred significant debate and concern, particularly in the context of religious conversions in India. As the legal proceedings move forward, all eyes will be on the courtroom, awaiting the final judgement on this contentious issue.
