Interfaith couple booked for religious conversion in violation of law
An interfaith couple and two others have been booked in Dehradun for not following proper procedure laid down under the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act for converting to a different religion for the purpose of marriage. "The woman had converted to Islam without informing her parents or district authorities prior to her marriage as required by the law," Patel Nagar SHO Pradeep Rana said.
FIR was launched against the couple, husband's uncle and qazi
"An FIR was lodged at the Patel Nagar Police station on Tuesday against the couple, the husband's uncle in whose presence the nikah took place in September, and the qazi who solemnized the alliance," Rana said.
First case of violation of Freedom of Religion Act, 2018
Circle Officer Anuj Kumar said, "It was in violation of Sections 3, 8 and 12 of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018." "This is the first case of violation of the Act since it came into force in 2018," Kumar added. The matter came to light when the husband, Samir Ali, approached the Uttarakhand High Court seeking protection.
About Sections 3 and 8 of the Act
Section 3 of the Act prohibits conversion either directly or otherwise, by use of force, marriage, or fraudulent means. Section 8 says, "One who desires to convert his religion, shall give a declaration at least one month in advance to the District Magistrate saying that he wishes to convert his religion on his own and at his free consent and without any force or allurement."
Religious priest should give one month's advance notice of conversion
"The religious priest, who performs purification sanskar or conversion ceremony for converting any person of one religion to another religion, shall give one month's advance notice of such conversion to the DM or someone authorized by him," Section 8 of the Act states.
Anyone who aids, abets or counsels conversions can be charged
Section 8 further says any contravention of the provisions shall have the effect of rendering the said conversion illegal and void. Section 12 says when an offense is committed under this Act everyone deemed to have taken part in its commission by way of aiding, abetting or counseling conversion shall be charged as if he has actually committed it.
