Pune Police invoke conversion law, then realise it’s not in force yet

Days after invoking the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act which criminalises conversion through coercion or fraud in two cases registered in the city, Pune Police have withdrawn its sections as the Act is yet to come into force.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act is set to come into force from August 26, 2026, as per a government notification.

Police first invoked the Act in an offence registered at Fursungi police station on August 5, where a 22-year-old man is accused of forcing his wife, a minor, to convert to his religion.

The second case was registered at Khadak police station against an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder from the UK for allegedly attempting to induce people to embrace Christianity through religious gatherings.

"We have withdrawn the sections of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. However, the sections of other Acts will remain and the cases will be probed," said Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.

When the notification informing about the presidential assent to the Act came, it was not specified from which date it would come into force, he said.

"While registering the offences, the officials assumed that it was already in force," he said.