SC quashes FIRs under U.P. Act on conversion, says law not tool to harass innocents, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court quashed multiple FIRs registered in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, concerning alleged mass religious conversions of Hindus to Christianity.
• The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 was the law under scrutiny in this case.
• The Bench, led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, found the FIRs to be legally flawed and based on incredulous material.
• Rajendra Bihari Lal, the vice-chancellor of SHUATS, was among those named in the quashed FIRs.

Detailed Insights:

• The court emphasized that criminal law should not be used to harass innocent citizens or allow prosecuting agencies to initiate prosecutions based on whims.
• The judgment highlighted "glaring infirmities" in the registration of the FIRs, including the absence of any victim of conversion filing a complaint with the police.
• The court ordered the separation of pleas related to one of the six FIRs due to its connection to other offenses, ensuring interim protection for the accused until the matter is resolved.
• This ruling underscores the importance of due process and credible evidence in cases involving religious conversion laws, preventing potential misuse for harassment.

Key Concepts Involved:

• FIR (First Information Report): A written document prepared by police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offense.
• Religious Conversion Laws: State laws regulating religious conversions, often requiring prior permission or notification to authorities.
• Judicial Review: The power of the judiciary to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government and determine whether such actions are consistent with the constitution.