The Gujarat High Court has granted interim relief to six family members of a Surat-based doctor accused of rape, ruling that the Surat district police did not seek the necessary sanction from the District Magistrate under the Gujarat Freedom to Religion Act, 2003. Justice MR Mengdey was hearing a petition filed by the family, which includes the accused's parents, sisters, aunt, and a distant relative. They argue that the police invoked sections of the Act based on a complaint alleging that the victim was coerced into converting to Christianity under the pretense of marriage. The court noted that the police had submitted an application for sanction on April 23, 2026, but it remains pending. The original FIR states that the accused allegedly had a physical relationship with the victim, a widow, promising to marry her and accept her daughter. The situation escalated after an unplanned pregnancy and its termination, leading to further allegations and the complainant's claim of being misled into participating in Christian rituals. The High Court has issued notices to the state and police, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for August 20, 2026.