Life imprisonment for ‘Love Jihad’ in UP- CM Yogi Adityanath
Lucknow| The law will be more strict in cases of religious conversion done by deceit or force. Now, for the first time, the culprits of the incident of harassment i.e. ‘Love Jihad’ by luring a woman into their trap and converting her, will be sentenced to life imprisonment. To prevent serious incidents of illegal conversion, the government has increased the scope of the law and the period of punishment. Till now, the maximum punishment in such cases was up to 10 years and a fine up to Rs 50 thousand. Foreign funding for conversion will now carry a penalty of seven to 14 years and a fine of at least Rs 10 lakh.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill-2024 was introduced in the Assembly on the first day of the monsoon session. Under which now, if a person threatens, attacks, marries or promises to marry or conspires with a person for his life or property with the intention of converting him, he traffics in a minor, woman or any person, such crimes will be categorized under serious category.
Sentence of at least 20 years or life imprisonment
In such a case, the accused shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 20 years or up to life imprisonment and a fine. The court will be able to decide the cost of treatment and amount for rehabilitation of the victim in the form of fine. Like serious crimes, now any person will be able to file an FIR in case of religious conversion. Earlier, arrangements were made to lodge an FIR only on behalf of the person suffering from religious conversion, his relatives or close relatives. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed to make a strict law if the cases of illegal conversion increase. In compliance with this, Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance-2020 was implemented in the state in November 2020. After this, the Legislature had approved the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 which prescribed a maximum punishment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50 thousand.
Proposal to increase the scope of the law and the punishment
It has now been proposed to extend both the scope of the law and the punishment. Making all crimes non-bailable, arrangements have also been made to first hear the side of the Public Prosecutor on the bail application. Their trial will not be below the sessions court.
Conversion of minor, disabled, mentally challenged, woman, Scheduled Caste and Tribe person: Minimum imprisonment of five years to 14 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Collective conversion: Minimum punishment of seven years to 14 years and minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Trafficking of minor for conversion: Life imprisonment and fine.
