Pune Records First Two Cases Under New Religious Freedom Law
Police said the accused used religious gatherings and superstitious claims to attract followers, and the case is being investigated under new federal and state laws.
- On Monday, Pune police registered an FIR against a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India cardholder for allegedly attempting to induce religious conversions to Christianity at gatherings in Guruwar Peth.
- The Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, came into force on August 1, prohibiting conversions through coercion, fraud, or allurement, with enhanced penalties for cases involving minors and protected categories.
- Investigators allege the accused used Hindu religious terms including 'kirtan,' 'Sant,' and 'Mauli' at a Marathi church to mislead devotees and promote Christianity, police said.
- Senior Inspector Amol More stated that while OCI cardholders may attend functions, "they cannot preach, conduct kirtans or deliver religious discourses without obtaining the requisite permission."
- Authorities booked the Manchester resident under both the Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, as police confirmed investigations remain ongoing.
14 Articles
14 Articles
UP man, British national charged under Maharashtra's new anti-conversion law
Pune police have filed the city's first cases under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. The FIRs span an alleged forced conversion involving a minor and alleged religious inducement by a UK-based OCI cardholder.
UK-based OCI among 2 booked under new law in Pune for religious conversion bid
Pune, Aug 11 (PTI) Police have registered separate cases against two persons, including a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, in Pune city under a newly-enacted law for trying to force religious conversion, officials said on Tuesday. These are the two first cases registered in Pune after the new law — Maharashtra Freedom of […]
British Man On Tourist Visa Charged Under New Anti-Conversion Law In Pune
According to allegations by Hindutva organisations, the British national was delivering sermons at a church in Guruwar Peth during his stay in Pune and using them as a pretext to convert people.
British national booked in Pune under Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law, made misleading claims about Hindu deities while promoting ‘devotion to Jesus’
Pune Police have registered an FIR against a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder for attempting to induce people to embrace Christianity during a religious gathering, in one of the first cases registered under Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act. The accused, a resident of Manchester, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion …
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