Lucknow – In a sharp indictment of administrative lapses in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on the state government for failing to release Aftab, an undertrial accused in an alleged illegal religious conversion case, even after he was granted bail. The apex court not only slammed the delay as a gross violation of fundamental rights but also imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on the state government, ordering the amount to be paid directly to Aftab as compensation, reported the Deccan Herald.
Aftab, arrested in 2024 in a controversial religious conversion case, was lodged in Ghaziabad jail. Though the Supreme Court granted him bail on April 29, 2025, and the trial court issued his release order on May 27, Aftab remained behind bars for nearly a month due to administrative inaction.
Frustrated by the denial of his liberty, Aftab filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. During the hearing on June 25, a bench comprising Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice N. Koteswar Singh expressed strong disapproval of the delay. The Director General of Prisons, appearing via video conference, informed the court that an internal inquiry was underway. However, the court found the explanation unsatisfactory.
“Liberty is a precious and inalienable right under the Constitution. It cannot be sacrificed due to procedural or technical lapses,” the bench declared. It emphasized that such administrative failures not only erode public faith in the justice system but also infringe upon Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
Garima Prasad, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, stated that Aftab was finally released on June 24, 2025, and that a probe was ongoing. However, the court held the state accountable for the unjust delay and ordered immediate compensation.
The Supreme Court further directed the District Judge of Ghaziabad to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report by August 18, 2025. It also warned that individual prison officials found guilty of negligence would face separate penalties.
Complying with the court’s directive, the UP government transferred ₹5 lakh to Aftab on June 27 and submitted a compliance report, which was confirmed during the next hearing.
This ruling has put the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government under sharp scrutiny, sparking criticism for the mishandling of legal procedures and raising serious concerns over the treatment of undertrials. The judgment also reinforces the judiciary’s stance on safeguarding individual freedoms and holding authorities accountable for violations.
