Aug 14,2022:Religious conversion by force or fraud in Himachal would invite more stringent punishment of upto seven years in jail with Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019 coming into force in the state.
The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019 which was passed by the State Assembly last year has been notified by the state Home Department. It replaces a 2006 law that has been repealed by the assembly.
The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019 prohibits conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marriage or any fraudulent means.Any marriage for the sole purpose of conversion will also be declared null and void under Section 5 of the Act.
All offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable. The violator can be punished with a prison term ranging from one to five years, along with a fine. In case the victim is a minor, woman or member of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe, the imprisonment may extend upto seven years. Failure to declare the conversion in advance can also result in an imprisonment of upto two years.
