SC ruling on U.P. conversion law offers scope to revisit pending cases: experts, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court quashed FIRs against individuals, including a Vice-Chancellor, accused of mass religious conversions under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
• The court found an "incurable legal defect" in the FIR against Rajendra Bihari Lal, the Vice-Chancellor of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, as it was filed by an unauthorized person.
• Legal experts believe the ruling could lead to a reassessment of pending cases under the law and curb its misuse, especially against minority communities.
• The FIR against Mr. Lal was filed in April 2022 by a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, alleging violations including unlawful religious conversion.

Detailed Insights:

• The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 has been criticized for its potential misuse as a tool of harassment against minorities.
• The Supreme Court's judgment emphasizes that procedural fairness and personal liberty should not be compromised in the enforcement of laws.
• Experts suggest the ruling may encourage greater scrutiny of FIRs filed under the anti-conversion law, potentially reducing frivolous or motivated litigation.
• The judgment reinforces the principle that criminal law should not be used to harass innocent persons based on unsubstantiated material.
• The right to follow and practice a faith of one's choice is a fundamental right that cannot be suppressed under the guise of preventing unfair conversions.
• The ruling is seen as a significant step in preventing the misuse of anti-conversion laws in Uttar Pradesh, particularly against marginalized communities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Freedom of Religion: The constitutional right to practice and propagate one's religion without coercion.
• Unlawful Conversion: Religious conversions achieved through coercion, fraud, or inducement, often subject to legal restrictions.
• Judicial Review: The power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of laws and executive actions.