The Uttar Pradesh government has given Rs 5 lakh compensation to a man whose release from jail was delayed by 28 days even after getting bail from the Supreme Court. The man was booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

The Supreme Court had granted bail on April 29, but the man was released from Ghaziabad district jail only on June 24. The delay in release happened due to a technical issue in the bail order. The trial court in Ghaziabad issued the release order on May 27, but one small detail—clause (1) of section 5 of the anti-conversion law—was missing from the order.

Because of this missing detail, the jail authorities filed a correction plea on May 28, but it was not acted upon in time. So, even though the man had been granted bail, he stayed in jail for almost a month more.

SC says liberty is a “very valuable and precious” right

On June 25, the Supreme Court expressed anger at the delay and said liberty is a “very valuable and precious” right under the Constitution. The court also said the man had lost his freedom for 28 days because of a “trivial non-issue”.

A bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and N Kotiswar Singh took the case seriously and ordered the UP government to pay Rs 5 lakh to the man as compensation. The bench also asked for an inquiry into the delay and ordered the principal district and sessions judge of Ghaziabad to conduct it.

The court had passed this order after the man’s lawyer filed a plea asking to modify the original April 29 bail order so that it would clearly mention clause (1) of section 5 of the 2021 law.

On Friday, the state’s lawyer informed the court that the compensation had been paid. The man’s lawyer also confirmed receiving the amount. The court has now said that it will review the inquiry report on August 25.

Man booked under anti-conversion law and kidnapping charges

The man was arrested under Section 366 of the old Indian Penal Code (which deals with kidnapping or forcing a woman to marry) and also under Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

This law is used to stop religious conversions done by force, fraud, or allurement. The case highlights how small errors and delays in the legal system can lead to a person staying in jail even after being granted bail.

The Supreme Court’s strong response has again reminded all authorities about the importance of protecting personal liberty and ensuring that court orders are followed without delay.

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