Dehradun Court Grants Bail to Four Accused in High-Profile Conversion Case
In a significant development, the district court in Dehradun has granted bail to four individuals, including the main accused, in the controversial conversion case linked to the Chhangur gang. District and Sessions Judge Prem Singh Khimal approved the bail applications, citing the police chargesheet which reportedly failed to establish any direct or specific role of the accused in the alleged activities.
Details of the Accused Granted Bail
The court granted bail to S B Krishna, also known as Ayesha Mahenur, a resident of Goa, along with three others: Abdul Rehman Anwar Shaikh, his son Abdullah Shaikh, and Abdul Rahim, who also goes by the alias Mahendra Pal Singh. The Shaikhs are residents of Mumbai, while Rahim hails from Delhi. All four individuals have been in judicial custody since October 28, 2025, with Ayesha currently lodged in a jail in Agra.
Background of the Chhangur Gang Case
The case revolves around the alleged activities of the Chhangur gang, which came under the scrutiny of Uttar Pradesh Police in 2025 over accusations of organized religious conversions. Investigators claimed that the network, allegedly led by Jalaluddin, popularly known as Chhangur Baba, was involved in facilitating conversions through various inducements and financial assistance.
Jalaluddin was arrested in July 2025, along with his associate Neetu, also known as Nasreen, from a hotel in Lucknow. The investigation led to several arrests across different states, targeting individuals accused of arranging logistics, handling financial transactions, and managing documentation related to the alleged conversions.
Court Proceedings and Prosecution Arguments
During the hearing on Thursday, the prosecution presented arguments emphasizing that this was not merely a simple conversion case but involved a criminal syndicate. They alleged that the main accused conspired with co-accused individuals to carry out systematic conversions.
The prosecution specifically told the court that the accused had lured the sister of one of the complainants with promises of a large sum of money and better employment opportunities. They claimed that after this initial enticement, she was subjected to brainwashing and forced to convert. A formal case was registered last year at Premnagar police station in Dehradun under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act and charges of criminal conspiracy.
Court's Rationale for Granting Bail
The court carefully examined the evidence presented, noting that the chargesheet submitted by the police did not indicate any direct or specific role played by the four accused in the alleged conversion activities. This lack of concrete evidence formed a crucial basis for the bail decision.
Furthermore, the court acknowledged that another co-accused in the same case, Roopendra Singh, who converted to Islam and took the name Abdur Rehman, had been granted bail on January 31, 2026. The court reasoned that, according to legal principles, other accused facing similar charges should be granted bail on the same basis to ensure consistency in judicial proceedings.
Bail Conditions and Release Order
The court ordered the release of all four accused upon their furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each, along with two sureties of the same amount. This standard bail condition ensures their appearance in court for future proceedings while allowing them temporary freedom from judicial custody.
The case continues to draw significant attention due to its sensitive nature involving allegations of organized religious conversions and the involvement of individuals from multiple states. Legal experts suggest that the bail grant reflects the court's assessment of the evidence currently available, though the investigation and legal proceedings are expected to continue as authorities pursue the broader case against the Chhangur gang network.
