The Supreme Court of India has taken a step towards clarifying the charges against Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, an Islamic scholar accused of orchestrating a mass religious conversion racket. The court's move came during a hearing on Tuesday in response to an appeal by the Uttar Pradesh government against the Allahabad High Court's decision to grant bail to Siddiqui, who had been arrested approximately eighteen months prior.
The bench, consisting of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar, directed the Uttar Pradesh government to present a comprehensive compilation of materials relating to the allegations against Siddiqui. The court emphasized the importance of highlighting the specific role attributed to Siddiqui in the alleged conversion syndicate and the evidence considered by the high court when granting him bail.
Justice Kumar urged the government to provide a tabular statement, cross-referenced with their counter-affidavit, to pinpoint Siddiqui's involvement and dispel any ambiguity surrounding the charges. The court underscored that their focus was solely on Siddiqui's role, not on other co-accused individuals.
The Uttar Pradesh Additional Advocate General, Garima Prashad, emphasized the seriousness of the accusations against Siddiqui. She asserted that he was central to a nationwide network aiming to challenge India's constitutional framework and replace it with Sharia law. Prashad argued that the high court's decision to grant bail to Siddiqui based on the bail granted to a co-accused was a mistake. She highlighted that Siddiqui held a pivotal role and was a key conspirator in the alleged crime.
In response, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Siddiqui, contested the government's claims and questioned the veracity of their assertions. He referred to the statements under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, pointing out discrepancies between those statements and the government's arguments.
Justice Bose intervened, acknowledging the contradictory perspectives and stating that the court would continue the hearing on the next scheduled date.
The backdrop of the case involves allegations against Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, who was arrested by the anti-terrorist squad of Uttar Pradesh police in September 2021. He has been accused of running a mass religious conversion racket through various organizations and schools. The allegations also extend to disturbing religious harmony and undermining India's sovereignty.
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