The Supreme Court on January 6, 2021 agreed to examine the constitutional validity of two laws enacted by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, that criminalise religious conversion via marriage and mandate prior official clearance before marrying into another faith.
- A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice Sharad A. Bobde issues notice on two separate petitions challenging the laws however, did not stay the implementation of the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018 .
- The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 outlaws religious conversions by marriage, coercion, deceit or enticement.
- The law in force since November 24, 2020 prescribes a jail term varying between one to five years, in addition to fines of up to Rs 15,000 for those convicted under the law.
- The jail term goes up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 25,000 for conversions of women belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe communities or who are minors.
