Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law put to use for first time in Pune

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, was notified on July 31 and came into force on August 1.

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.

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.

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.