Anti-Conversion Act Applies To Marriages In Conflicting Religions And Also To Live-in Relationships: Allahabad HC

Prayagraj, March 14 (TNA) The Allahabad High Court (HC) has said that the UP Prohibition of Conversion Act applies not only to marriages of people of conflicting religions but also to live-in relationships. Therefore, a couple of opposite religions cannot live in a live-in relationship without converting their religion through a legal process.

This order was given by Justice Renu Aggarwal while rejecting the petition of the inter-religious couple in which police protection was demanded. The court said that a change of religion is not only necessary for marriage, but it is also necessary for all relationships of the nature of marriage. In the present case, none of the petitioners had applied for a change of religion as per Sections 8 and 9 of the Act.

Have given and are living in a live-in relationship after registering the marriage in the Arya Samaj temple. The court said that according to Section 3(1) of the Act, no person shall, directly or otherwise, convert or try to convert any other person from one religion to another by misrepresentation, use of force or misleading. No person shall, by undue influence, coercion, inducement or by any fraudulent means, instigate, persuade or conspire to effect such conversion.

The Allahabad High Court clearly said that the law is clear that conversion is required not only in cases of inter-religious marriage but also in relationships of the nature of marriage.

A Hindu boy registered marriage with a Muslim girl in Arya Samaj temple and is living in live-in relationship. A petition was filed demanding a ban on interference in their relations and police protection. The court has rejected the petition.