Life in jail, Rs 10 lakh fine: Uttarakhand conversion bill gets stringent
The govt is likely to table the bill in the House, where they have a strong majority, for approval during the three-day monsoon session of assembly commencing on Aug 19.
At present, the maximum jail term for such an offence is 10 years and the highest fine is Rs 50,000. The new bill proposes to raise the jail term to 14 years, and, in some cases, to 20 years which may even extend to life imprisonment. Arrests can be made without a warrant and the DM can seize properties acquired through crimes related to conversion.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami told TOI on Wednesday hours after the cabinet decision: "Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi (the land of Gods) and a place where holy saints through the ages came and meditated. In the last few years, there have been instances of demographic changes under the guise of illegal conversions. The proposed amendment is a major step on our part to ensure that the social fabric of the Himalayan state is not changed.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription!
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
Therefore, we have come up with stringent measures to check the illegal practice."
Proposal: All offences under new provisions shall be non-bailable
According to the cabinet's proposal, "Whoever receives funds from foreign or (other) entities concerning unlawful religious conversion shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than seven years and which may extend up to 14 years, and shall also be liable to a fine not less than Rs 10 lakh." It further states, "Whoever, with the intent to convert, instils fear for life or property, assaults or uses force, promises marriage or incites or conspires for such conversion, or traffics a minor woman or person or otherwise sells them, or attempts or conspires for this purpose, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years and which may extend to life imprisonment, meaning imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be liable to a fine.
"
As per the new provisions, concealing religion for marriage is a crime, and offenders could face three to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 3 lakh. On "mass conversion", the document says it will attract imprisonment of not less than seven years and up to 14 years, and shall be liable to a fine not less than Rs 1 lakh.
Concerning "a minor, woman or a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, or a disabled or mentally challenged person", the punishment shall be imprisonment not less than five years, which may extend up to 14 years and liable to a fine not less than Rs 1 lakh.
For general cases, the jail term would range from three years to 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000.
All offences under the new provisions shall be cognizable and non-bailable and triable by a sessions court. Arrests can be made without a warrant and bail will only be granted if the court is convinced the accused is not guilty and will not repeat the offence. As per the proposal, if any property is acquired through crimes related to conversion, the DM can seize it.
The provision mentions: "If the DM has reason to believe that any property in possession of a person, whether movable or immovable, was acquired as a result of an offence under this Act, they may order the seizure of such property, regardless of whether a court has taken cognisance of such offence.
"Provisions of the Indian Civil Protection Code shall apply to every such seizure, with necessary modifications. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Code, the district magistrate may appoint an administrator for any property seized under subsection (1) and the administrator shall have all powers to manage it in the best interest of such property.
The district magistrate may arrange for police assistance for the proper and effective management of such property by the administrator.
"
The amendment has also redefined "inducement", which now means and includes offering any of the following: "Any gift, gratification, easy money, or material benefit in cash or kind. Employment, free education in a school or college run by a religious institution, or a promise to marry or a better lifestyle, divine displeasure or otherwise. Portraying the practices, rituals and ceremonies of one religion in a harmful manner concerning another religion, or glorifying one religion against another.
"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
20 minutes ago
- Hans India
Revanth shreds Centre's take on State debts
Hyderabad: Close on the heels of the Union government declaring in Parliament that Telangana's debts in 10 years were Rs 3.5 lakh crore, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has shredded the Centre's official figures on the mounting debt burden on the state, saying: "The previous government left us with mounting debts and arrears of Rs 8,21,652 crore when the people's government assumed power. Out of this, Rs. 6,71,757 crore are debts. Rs 40,154 crore dues are related to the payments of the employees and other schemes. Rs 1,09,740 crore dues are related to SC, ST sub plan, Singareni (Collieries), electricity and other departments," Reddy said. From the total debts, the state government has completed the debt service of Rs 2,20,676 crore, which included Rs 1,32,498 crore principal amount and Rs 88,178 crore interest amount till the date, he said. Speaking after unfurling the National Flag at the historical Golconda Fort here on Friday to mark the Independence Day, he amplified that, despite facing financial burden, his government was working hard to take the state forward from zero to the top level. Revanth Reddy demanded the Centre to approve the BC quota bills passed by the state legislature. He said the state Assembly has passed two bills to provide 42 per cent quota to Backward Classes in local bodies, education and jobs and sent them for presidential assent. "On this occasion, I once again demand the central government to take a quick decision on the pending bills," he said. The Socio-Economic Caste Survey and SC classification conducted in the state were courageous decisions of the state government in the history of India, he underlined. The Chief Minister took a broadside at the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi government on the unbridled encroachment on lakes, ponds and other water bodies in Hyderabad. "In the previous government, people were not serious about the encroachment on lands, ponds and canals due to lack of a credible system. So far, the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has protected 13 parks and 20 lakes from encroachments. Amberpet Bathukamma Kunta has been restored. The HYDRAA protected government lands worth Rs 30 ,000 crore. Today, the common people are praising HYDRAA. "The opposition parties are using HYDRAA as a weapon for political gains. My appeal to people is to think and compare the past with the current situation when the Hyderabad City received heavy rains". The opposition was trying to create unrest by showing HYDRAA as a failed system, he said. "Today, cities like Bangaluru, Mumbai and Chennai are facing flood problems. Hyderabad should not witness such a plight. To make Hyderabad a safe destination for living, HYDRAA was brought about to curb the encroachment of tanks," he said. Referring to Telangana Rising 2047 document, the Chief Minister said that the document promises a permanent solution to Hyderabad's flooding problem with the Musi Rejuvenation Project. The document also showed how India's Future City, being built to international standards, will be a gateway to the modern world. 'Telangana Rising – 2047 is a plan to radically transform the image of Telangana with the construction of the Gandhi Sarovar project at Bapu Ghat, greenfield highways, dry ports, second phase Metro Rail, radial roads between the Outer and Regional Ring Roads, Warangal and Adilabad airports, Hyderabad-Nagpur, Hyderabad-Bangalore, and Hyderabad-Vijayawada industrial corridors. Our goal is to implement this resolution and make Telangana a key player in the country's progress by 2047. The Telangana Rising – 2047 is a grand visionary document to transform Telangana into a one trillion US dollar economy by 2035 and a 3 trillion UD dollar economy by 2047. This is not just a plan. It is a resolve to make Telangana proud on the world stage.' Further, the Chief Minister said aligning the vision of Telangana Rising 2047 document with that of India@2047: "We are striving to achieve the goals and the role of Telangana in making India number one in the world. Our determination is that Telangana should play a key game changer role that will change the face of India by 2047."
Hans India
20 minutes ago
- Hans India
CM on two-pronged strategy of ‘People's govt': 'We compete globally, yet prioritise welfare measures'
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has observed that the 'People's government' headed by him, while setting its sights on competing with global cities, is fully committed to delivering welfare benefits to uplift the disadvantaged sections of society. Addressing the Independence Day celebrations at Golkonda Fort on Friday, Revanth Reddy listed out his government's welfare schemes and their positive impact on society. The People's government had adopted a two-pronged approach, he explained. On the one hand, the government set for itself goals to compete with global cities; and, on the other hand, the government was delivering welfare benefits to fulfil the aspirations of the poor. "Clarity in thinking and transparency in implementation are the hallmark of our governance", the Chief Minister said. The state government had chosen an inclusive development approach by involving everyone and created miracles. So, Telangana had become a 'role model' for the country within 20 months, Revanth claimed. The present Congress government, soon after assuming power on December 7, 2023, 'restored democracy' and took policy decisions in tune with the aspirations and goals of people as well as Telangana activists and martyrs. The People's government accorded priority to the future and welfare of farmers, women, and youth. 'We took historic decisions to invent a social Telangana. We fulfilled the 100-year dream of the weaker sections by conducting the (Socio-Economic) Caste Census and implemented SC sub classification, thereby ending decades of waiting for the Scheduled castes. The two important decisions taken by the government are not only significant but also courageous in the history of India,' the CM remarked. On farmers' welfare, the Chief Minister said that farmers in the state could get rid of their debts and register the highest crop production in the country, upon implementation of the loan waiver scheme, Rythu Bharosa, along with bonus of Rs 500. Revanth Reddy said that women empowerment schemes, including free travel in RTC buses, had brought a paradigm shift in the lives of women in the state.
New Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Corporation tender lapses: Madras HC raps DVAC , questions prosecution nod delay
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has questioned the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) over the delay in obtaining sanction from the competent authorities of the government to prosecute the accused persons in the alleged Rs 98.25 crore tender irregularities in Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Coimbatore Corporation (CC) when SP Velumani was the municipal administration minister during the previous AIADMK government. Velumani and some government officials, including two IAS officers, have been arraigned as accused. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, in a recent order, directed respondent DVAC SP to file additional affidavit explaining why there was substantial delay in obtaining sanction. He directed the special court for cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) in Chennai to submit a report on the delay in taking on file the charge sheets filed by the DVAC against the accused persons and companies as per orders passed in another contempt petition on April 4, 2024.
