Pune Police File First Cases Under Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law

Pune police have registered two cases under Maharashtra's new anti-conversion law, marking the first applications of the legislation since it came into force on August 1. The cases involve a 22-year-old man accused of attempting to convert his minor wife and a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India cardholder alleged to have preached at a church.

The first case was filed on August 5 at the Phursungi police station. A 22-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh was arrested after a complaint was lodged by the father of a missing minor girl. The complainant alleged that after his daughter was located, the man had pressured her to convert to his religion. The accused has been booked under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act due to the victim's age. Senior Inspector Amol More confirmed the accused is in judicial custody. If convicted under the Act's provisions for offenses involving minors, he faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to 5 lakh rupees.

The second case was registered on August 9 at the Khadak police station against a UK national and OCI cardholder residing in Manchester. Police allege the man used...