First use of Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law, 22-year-old Pune man charged

3 min learnUp to date: Aug 11, 2026 05:19 PM IST

The primary FIR underneath Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Faith Act was registered by Pune metropolis police inside days of the legislation coming into pressure, towards a 22-year-old man accused of asking his “spouse”, who’s a minor, to transform from her faith. Days later, police registered one other case underneath the brand new legislation towards a UK nationwide and Abroad Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder accused of making an attempt to induce folks to embrace Christianity at spiritual gatherings.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 was notified on July 31 and got here into pressure on August 1. The primary FIR was registered on August 5 towards the 22-year-old man, who’s from Uttar Pradesh, after he allegedly requested a minor with whom he was in a relationship to transform from her faith, police mentioned.

Senior Inspector Amol Extra instructed The Indian Categorical that the person has been booked underneath Sections 3 and 9(2) of the Act. Part 3 prohibits an individual from changing or making an attempt to transform, or aiding or abetting conversion, via means together with coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation, pressure, risk or undue affect.

Part 9(2) supplies for imprisonment of as much as seven years and a advantageous of as much as Rs 5 lakh the place the offence underneath Part 3 includes a minor.

The police have additionally invoked provisions of the Safety of Kids from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, because the alleged sufferer is a minor. The accused has been arrested and is at present in judicial custody, Extra mentioned.

In line with police, the accused and the minor are from the identical village in Uttar Pradesh. The 2 entered right into a relationship and subsequently moved to Karnataka after which Pune, the officer mentioned.

Police have alleged that the person requested the minor to transform. The FIR and investigation will set up the circumstances and the means allegedly used to aim the conversion.

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The second FIR

An officer mentioned the OCI cardholder had participated in prayer conferences and different spiritual features however was not permitted to evangelise or ship spiritual discourses with out the requisite permission. The police have registered a case underneath the brand new legislation primarily based on the alleged actions.

The Act prohibits conversion via coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation, pressure, risk or undue affect. It additionally comprises provisions regarding conversion linked to marriage or a promise of marriage. It requires an individual desiring to convert to offer prior discover to the district Justice of the Peace and permits complaints by specified relations of the one that has allegedly been transformed.

The legislation additionally locations the burden of proving {that a} conversion was voluntary on the individual conducting the conversion. It supplies for enhanced punishment in instances involving minors, ladies, members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and individuals of unsound thoughts.

The legislation was handed by the Maharashtra Legislature earlier this 12 months and subsequently obtained the President’s assent earlier than being notified by the state authorities on July 31.

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The laws had triggered a political debate when it was launched. The ruling Mahayuti alliance backed it, whereas the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Samajwadi Social gathering opposed it. Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the Invoice.

Mohamed Thaver is a extremely specialised journalist with the Experience and Authority required to report on advanced legislation enforcement and authorized points. With a profession devoted to the crime beat for over a decade, his work supplies readers with knowledgeable and reliable insights into Maharashtra’s safety and justice programs.
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