On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly passed the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aiming to strengthen the state's anti-conversion law.
The Bill proposes life imprisonment for fraudulent or forced conversions, increasing the previous maximum sentence from 10 years to life imprisonment.
The Bill amends Sections 4, 5, and 7 of the 2021 Act and introduces two sub-clauses to Section 7, stipulating that an accused's bail plea cannot be considered without giving the public prosecutor a chance to oppose it.
All offences related to unlawful conversion are cognizable and non-bailable, and will only be heard by a sessions court or higher.
Under Section 5(3), the amendment Bill classifies threats, attacks, marriage or promises of marriage, conspiracy to marry, or trafficking of a woman, minor, or anyone with the intent of conversion as the "most serious category" of crime, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The proviso to Section 5 requires that fines be sufficient to cover the victim's medical expenses and rehabilitation, with any imposed fines paid to the victim.
Additionally, the court is mandated to approve appropriate compensation payable by the accused to the victim, up to a maximum of five lakh rupees, in addition to the fine.
Under the amended Section 4, anyone can now register a first information report (FIR) in forced conversion cases, removing the previous requirement for the presence of the victim, their parents, or siblings to file a complaint.
The Bill also introduces a new offence for receiving funds from foreign or illegal organizations for unlawful conversion purposes, with offenders facing imprisonment ranging from 5 to 14 years.
The minimum punishment for ordinary offences has been increased to 5 years, with the maximum now set at 10 years in prison, and fines 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 fines raised from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.
TAGS: Bill Uttar Pradesh Assembly Amendment Imprisonment Offence Fine
