shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > India News > Article > Anti conversion law SC agrees to hear Madhya Pradesh govts plea against HC order

Anti-conversion law: SC agrees to hear Madhya Pradesh govt's plea against HC order

Updated on: 03 January,2023 12:34 PM IST  |  New Delhi
PTI |

A bench of Justices M R Shah and C T Ravikumar issued notice in the matter and posted the matter for hearing on February 7

Anti-conversion law: SC agrees to hear Madhya Pradesh govt's plea against HC order

Supreme Court of India. File Pic

All conversions cannot be said to be illegal, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while agreeing to hear the Madhya Pradesh government's plea challenging a high court order restraining it from prosecuting interfaith couples who get married without informing the district magistrate.


A bench of Justices M R Shah and C T Ravikumar issued notice in the matter and posted the matter for hearing on February 7.


Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought a stay on the high court order but the apex court refused to pass any direction.


Mehta said marriage is used for illegal conversions and "we cannot turn a blind eye" to this.

The high court, in an interim order, had directed the state government not to prosecute under Section 10 of the MP Freedom of Religion Act (MPFRA) adults who solemnise their marriage on their own volition.

Also Read: Statement made by a minister cannot be attributed vicariously to govt: SC

The high court on November 14 observed that Section 10, which makes it obligatory for a citizen desiring (religious) conversion to give a (prior) declaration in this regard to the district magistrate, is "in our opinion ex facie, unconstitutional in the teeth of aforesaid judgments of this court".

The MPFRA forbids conversions by misrepresentation, allurement, use of threat of force, undue influence, coercion, marriage or by any other fraudulent means.

The high court's interim direction came on a bunch of seven petitions challenging provisions of the MPFRA 2021. The petitioners sought interim relief to restrain the state from prosecuting anyone under the Act.

The court had granted the state government three weeks to file its para-wise reply to the petitions, and said the petitioners may file rejoinder within 21 days thereafter. 

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK