For the very first time, a Kanpur youth was sentenced to ten years in prison and fined Rs 30,000 under Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Love Jihad’ law.
Background
The incident occurred in May 2017, when a young man named Javed allegedly introduced himself as Munna to the minor and promised to marry her, after which the couple eloped. After learning of the incident, police filed a report and arrested the teen the next day.
According to reports, when the girl arrived at her husband’s house, he revealed his identity and demanded a ‘Nikah,’ which she refused. She also claimed that the adolescent had raped her. A case has been filed, among other things, under relevant sections of the POCSO Act, and the accused has been sent to prison.
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No person shall convert, either directly or indirectly, from one religion to another by use or practise of misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or any fraudulent means, or by marriage
According to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020
Those found guilty can face up to ten years in prison, depending on the severity of the “crime.” The fines vary between Rs 15,000 and Rs 50,000. Interfaith couples must notify the district magistrate two months in advance if they want to marry.
Forcible conversions are punishable by one to five years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000, as well as three to ten years in prison for minors and women from the SC/ST community. Forcible mass conversions carry a sentence of three to ten years in prison and a fine of Rs 50,000. If it is discovered that the sole purpose of the marriage was to convert the woman, the law declares the marriage “null and void.”
The Uttar Pradesh Police have so far registered 108 cases under the law that makes it illegal to convert to another religion through “force, undue influence, coercion, or allurement.”
In Bareilly zone, 28 cases, Meerut zone 23, Gorakhpur zone 11, Lucknow zone 9, and Agra zone 9. Prayagraj and Gautam Buddh Nagar both have seven cases each, while Varanasi and Lucknow each have six. Only two such cases have been reported in Kanpur.
Feature Image courtesy: OpIndia