Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law: In one of the initial enforcement cases following the rollout of the state’s new anti-conversion legislation, Pune Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a foreign national holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
According to media reports, the individual a resident of Manchester in the United Kingdom stands accused of attempting to induce people to convert to Christianity during a gathering at a church in the city.
The case was registered at the Khadak police station in Pune under relevant provisions of the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, alongside sections of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Police authorities confirmed that a probe is underway to determine the extent of the activity and verify whether regulatory permissions were bypassed.
Details of the Incident in Guruwar Peth
As per official statements cited by news agencies, the incident occurred during a religious program held at a local Marathi church situated in Pune’s historic Guruwar Peth area.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Manchester-based OCI holder addressed the assembled gathering, incorporating traditional terminology rooted in local Hindu cultural and religious customs, including words such as kirtan, Sant, and Mauli.
Police officials noted that the accused allegedly spoke about following a path of devotion to Jesus while simultaneously making remarks that created misconceptions regarding traditional Hindu temples and deities.
According to media reports, authorities alleged that these statements were made with the intention of misleading attendees and encouraging them to adopt Christianity.
Furthermore, the FIR notes that the individual allegedly made superstitious claims during the session, suggesting that invoking religious figures could lead to miraculous healings of medical illnesses or cause rainfall.
Investigating officers stated that such assertions were allegedly deployed as inducements or allurements to attract followers of other faiths toward Christianity.
OCI Rules and Visa Guidelines for Overseas Citizens
Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law: Addressing the legal status of the accused, a senior official from the Khadak police station clarified the operational limits imposed on foreign nationals and OCI cardholders in India.
While individuals holding OCI status are legally permitted to visit the country, attend private prayer meetings, and participate in social functions, they are strictly restricted from engaging in public preaching, delivering formal religious discourses, or conducting organized events like kirtans without specific prior approval from government authorities.
Under current immigration rules and foreign national guidelines, engaging in active proselytization or public evangelism on standard visitor visas or OCI status without explicit sanction constitutes a direct regulatory violation.
Consequently, the police have applied relevant sections of the updated Immigration and Foreigners framework alongside state laws to address the alleged breach.
Overview of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026
The filing of this FIR marks a notable development as Maharashtra enforces its updated legal framework regarding religious conversions.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, passed by both houses of the state legislature earlier in the year, officially came into effect after receiving presidential assent and being published in the state gazette in late July 2026.
According to legal documentation and media reports, the primary objectives and key features of the state’s new law include:
Prohibition of Inducement and Fraud: The legislation explicitly prohibits converting or attempting to convert any individual from one faith to another through the use of force, coercion, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, or allurement.
Broad Definition of Allurement: Under the statute, “allurement” is defined to cover financial gifts, employment promises, free schooling, claims of divine healing, or favorably contrasting one faith against another to persuade individuals.
Strict Penalties: First-time offenders convicted under the act face rigorous imprisonment terms ranging up to seven years, while repeat offenses or aggregated violations can carry prison sentences extending up to 10 years.
Mandatory Advance Notification: Individuals intending to voluntarily convert to another religion are required to submit written notice to the local District Magistrate at least 60 days in advance, followed by required post-conversion declarations.
Locus Standi for Complaints: Relatives including parents, siblings, and blood relations are legally empowered to lodge formal police complaints regarding suspected non-compliant or forced conversions.
Ongoing Police Probe and Next Steps
Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law: Police officials in Pune emphasized that the case remains under active investigation.
Officers are currently collecting audio-visual recordings, examining witness statements from churchgoers, and verifying the organizer details associated with the event at Guruwar Peth.
Authorities indicated that legal notices are being processed in accordance with immigration protocols to address the foreign national’s presence and activities within the jurisdiction.
Further steps, including formal questioning and reporting to civil administrative authorities, will depend on the findings of the detailed probe.
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