Uttar Pradesh Assembly moves to make forced religious conversions punishable by life imprisonment

The Uttar Pradesh State Assembly on Tuesday passed the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to make the State's anti-conversion law more stringent.

The Bill recommends life imprisonment for fraudulent or forced conversions. Previously, the maximum sentence was 10 years in prison.

The Bill amends Sections 4, 5, and 7 of the 2021 Act and adds two sub-clauses to Section 7, providing that the bail plea of an accused cannot be considered without allowing the public prosecutor an opportunity to oppose it.

All offences under unlawful conversion are cognisable and non-bailable, and will only be heard by a sessions court or higher.

Under Section 5(3), the amendment Bill proposes that if a person threatens, attacks, marries or promises to marry, conspires to marry, or trafficks a woman, minor, or anyone with the intent of conversion, the crime will be classified in the “most serious category” and will carry a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.

The proviso to Section 5 states that the fine shall be just and reasonable to cover the victim's medical expenses and rehabilitation. It also mandates that any fine imposed under this Section shall be paid to the victim.

It further stipulates that the court shall approve appropriate compensation - payable by the accused to the victim of the religious conversion - which could be up to a maximum of five lakh rupees, in addition to the fine.

Under the amended Section 4, now anyone can register the first information report (FIR) in forced conversion cases. Previously, the presence of the victim, their parents, or siblings was required to file a complaint or provide information.

Additionally, the Bill introduces a new offence for receiving funds from foreign or illegal organisations for the purpose of unlawful conversion. Such offenders will face imprisonment ranging from 5 to 14 years.

The Bill further increases the minimum punishment for ordinary offences to 5 years and the maximum to 10 years in prison, with the fine raised to ₹50,000.

For offences against minors, women, dalits and tribals, the maximum jail term has been increased from 10 to 14 years, with the minimum term now five years, and the fine raised from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.

[Read Bill]