Case against Prohibition of Conversion Act – UP 7 states including notice to reply

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Jharkhand have enacted Prohibition of Religion Act. These laws require permission from the relevant authorities before converting or marrying a convert.

The state governments have said that these laws were enacted to prevent conversion of women by enticing them into a love trap (love jihad), including marriage.

Many have filed petitions challenging these laws in their respective state high courts. Similarly, various petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court. The petitions alleged that the Act violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Constitution.

These petitions came up for hearing yesterday before a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha. At that time, the judges ordered to send notices to the 7 states concerned to respond to these petitions.

Similarly, the judges ordered to send notices to the concerned petitioners asking them to reply as to whether the petitions filed in the High Courts should be transferred to the Supreme Court.