Shamli man Ayush Malik returns to Hinduism; family cites forced conversion case
Synopsis
Months after his wife and father-in-law were arrested under UP's anti-conversion law, Shamli's Ayush Malik has publicly returned to Hinduism — performing puja on camera and citing his parents' pain. His father credits divine grace and media pressure. The property-conspiracy allegation adds a layer that courts will now have to untangle.
Key Takeaways
Ayush Malik of Shamli, Uttar Pradesh , returned to Hinduism on or before 30 June , confirmed by his father Devaraj Malik .
A video shows Ayush performing Hindu rituals and stating the decision was voluntary, citing his parents' pain.
His wife Chandni Qureshi and her father Islam Qureshi remain arrested under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act .
The FIR alleges Ayush converted to Islam in 2023 in Delhi and adopted the name Mohammad Ali ; no marriage certificate was recovered by police.
Devaraj Malik has alleged the conversion was part of a conspiracy to seize family property worth several crores of rupees — a claim not independently verified.
Ayush Malik, a resident of Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, has returned to Hinduism, his father Devaraj Malik confirmed on Tuesday, 30 June, months after the arrest of Ayush's wife Chandni Qureshi and her father Islam Qureshi on charges of alleged forced religious conversion under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
Father's Relief and Family's Statement
Speaking to reporters, Devaraj Malik said the development was a moment of profound relief for the family. 'With the grace and blessing of God, my son has returned to Hinduism. I want to thank the media for helping us in this,' he said. The family maintained that Ayush's decision to return to Sanatan Dharma was entirely voluntary.
Ayush Speaks in Viral Video
A video circulating on social media shows Ayush Malik performing Hindu religious rituals and prayers. In the video, Ayush states: 'I had accepted Islam and changed my religion. But after seeing my parents' pain and keeping my family in mind, I have voluntarily returned to Hinduism. I want to live under the care and protection of my family. Please forgive me.' He was also seen conducting puja rituals in accordance with Hindu traditions.
Background: The Arrests and the FIR
The case traces back to 2018, when Ayush — a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate who co-managed his family's medical store — reportedly first met Chandni Qureshi, a physiotherapist, while seeking treatment for a leg injury at a hospital in Shamli. According to police, the two developed a relationship, after which Chandni and members of her family allegedly influenced him to convert to Islam.
The First Information Report (FIR) alleges that Ayush was taken to Delhi in 2023, where he converted to Islam and adopted the name Mohammad Ali. It further claims that a nikah ceremony was conducted in Delhi. However, police have stated they did not recover any marriage certificate during the course of their investigation.
Property Conspiracy Allegation
Investigators have noted that following the alleged conversion, Ayush reportedly began practising Islamic religious observances, including offering five daily prayers, growing a beard, and altering his style of dress. Devaraj Malik has separately alleged that the conversion was part of a broader conspiracy to gain control of the family's property, which he claims is worth several crores of rupees. Authorities have not independently verified this claim.
Legal Status and What Comes Next
Chandni Qureshi and her father Islam Qureshi remain under arrest, charged under the UP anti-conversion law following the complaint filed by Devaraj Malik. The case has drawn attention to the application of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, which has been invoked in a growing number of inter-faith relationship disputes across the state. The legal proceedings against the Qureshis are ongoing, and no trial date has been announced.
Point of View
Religious identity, and a state law that critics argue is being used to criminalise inter-faith relationships. The absence of a recovered marriage certificate is a significant investigative gap that defence lawyers will likely exploit. Devaraj Malik's property-conspiracy allegation, if unsubstantiated in court, could shift the narrative considerably. More broadly, the UP anti-conversion law has now been invoked in enough high-profile cases that its judicial track record — acquittals, bail rates, conviction rates — deserves independent scrutiny that mainstream coverage rarely provides.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ayush Malik and what is the Shamli conversion case?
Ayush Malik is a resident of Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate. His father filed a complaint alleging that Ayush was coerced into converting to Islam by his wife Chandni Qureshi and her family, leading to their arrest under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
Has Ayush Malik voluntarily returned to Hinduism?
Yes, according to his father Devaraj Malik and a video circulating on social media, Ayush has voluntarily returned to Hinduism and performed puja rituals. In the video, Ayush states the decision was driven by his parents' pain and his desire to live with his family.
What charges do Chandni Qureshi and Islam Qureshi face?
Chandni Qureshi and her father Islam Qureshi were arrested following a complaint by Devaraj Malik under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, which prohibits forced or fraudulent religious conversion. Legal proceedings against them are ongoing.
Did police find a marriage certificate in the Shamli conversion case?
No. Police have stated that no marriage certificate was recovered during the investigation, even though the FIR alleges a nikah ceremony was conducted in Delhi in 2023.
What is the property angle in this case?
Devaraj Malik has alleged that the conversion was part of a larger conspiracy to gain control of the family's property, which he claims is worth several crores of rupees. This allegation has not been independently verified by authorities.
