Allahabad High Court Refuses to Quash Case Against Muslim Personal Law Board Leader

Allahabad High Court Refuses to Quash Case Against Muslim Personal Law Board Leader
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The Allahabad High Court has declined to dismiss criminal proceedings against Noor Ahmed Ajahri, a leader of the Uttar Pradesh Muslim Personal Law Board, over remarks he allegedly made in 2023 concerning violence and governance in the state.

The case originates from a 2023 FIR filed at Puranpur police station in Pilibhit district after a video surfaced in which Ajahri allegedly commented on the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed. The two were shot dead while in police custody during transfer for a medical examination in Prayagraj earlier that year.

Prosecutors allege that Ajahri claimed the killings were part of a conspiracy by the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and accused the ruling party of undermining constitutional protections.

Ajahri had petitioned the court to quash the case, arguing that his remarks were made during a public discussion and did not constitute criminal offense under the cited provisions. He also challenged the fairness of the investigation.

However, the High Court rejected his plea, stating it could not conclude at this stage that no offence had been made out.

The ruling comes amid previous legal troubles for Ajahri, including an earlier arrest linked to his criticism of a state crackdown on madrassas following an investigation that reportedly questioned the legality of thousands of religious schools in Uttar Pradesh.