The first FIR under Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act was registered by Pune city police within days of the law coming into force, against a 22-year-old man accused of asking his minor partner to convert from her religion. Days later, police registered another case under the new law against a UK national and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder accused of trying to induce people to embrace Christianity at religious gatherings.
“Two separate offences have been registered with Pune city police under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. First case was registered on August 5 and the second on August 9,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Prashant Amrutkar.
The accused and the minor with whom he was allegedly in a relationship in the first FIR are from Uttar Pradesh. “A Ludhiana resident, originally from Uttar Pradesh, registered a case about his daughter who went missing last year. When the family came to Pune in search of her, they found out that she was sexually abused and attempts were made to convert her religion. An offence was registered against the accused under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026,” said DCP Amrutkar.
The father of the minor, who is the complainant, said that the accused made attempts to convert his daughter against her will, by promising to marry her, an officer said.
A senior inspector told The Indian Express that the man has been booked under Sections 3 and 9(2) of the Act. Section 3 prohibits a person from converting or attempting to convert, or aiding or abetting conversion, through means including coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation, force, threat or undue influence.
Section 9(2) provides for imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh where an offence under Section 3 involves a minor. The accused has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody, More said.
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On August 9, Pune city police registered another case. “The second offence was registered at the Khadak police station under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. In this case a British national has been booked,” the DCP said.
The accused, Pankaj Devnoor who is an OCI cardholder, was booked on complaint by a 31-year-old rickshaw driver at Khadak police station. “In a programme organised on August 7 at Guruwar Peth area, Devnoor was trying to spread misconceptions about Hindu religion and was trying to lure the people in the audience into religious conversion,” the FIR stated.
An officer said the man was not permitted to preach or deliver religious discourses without the requisite permission.
What does the law say
The Act prohibits conversion through coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation, force, threat or undue influence. It also contains provisions relating to conversion linked to marriage or a promise of marriage. It requires a person intending to convert to give prior notice to the district magistrate and permits complaints by specified relatives of a person who has allegedly been converted.
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The law also places the burden of proving that a conversion was voluntary on the person conducting the conversion. It provides enhanced punishment in cases involving minors, women, members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and persons of unsound mind.
Notified on July 31
The law was passed by the Maharashtra Legislature earlier this year and subsequently received the President’s assent before being notified by the state government on July 31.
The legislation triggered a political debate when it was introduced. The ruling Mahayuti alliance backed it, while the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Samajwadi Party opposed it. Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the Bill.
Several civil society organisations have opposed the Maharashtra government’s move, calling it an infringement of personal and religious freedom and women’s rights. In the last eight years, nine mostly BJP-ruled states have passed similar laws aimed at preventing forcible marriage and religious conversion, particularly of Hindu women.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
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Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010.
Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune.
Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
