The Supreme Court granted bail to a Muslim man jailed for nearly six months under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018, for marrying a Hindu woman, asserting that the state cannot object to consenting adults living together despite religious differences. Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma overturned the Uttarakhand High Court’s February 2025 denial, which alleged the man concealed his Muslim identity during the December 10, 2024, Hindu wedding. The couple, married with family consent, faced an FIR filed by the woman’s cousin, claiming deception after discovering the groom’s faith.
The court noted the man’s affidavit promising religious freedom for his wife and emphasized marital autonomy, allowing the couple to live together despite ongoing criminal proceedings. The ruling, issued on June 10, 2025, highlighted personal liberty, dismissing objections based on religion and affirming the couple’s right to live peacefully without interference.
