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Bombay High Court Examines Challenge to Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law
A new Maharashtra law about religious conversion is being challenged in court.
The case is before the Bombay High Court.
The person who filed it says the law may interfere with people’s privacy and personal choices.
He says people should be allowed to choose their partner and religion freely.
He agrees that forced or fraudulent conversions can be prohibited.
However, he objects to rules covering voluntary conversions and inter-faith relationships.
He also says some words in the law are too unclear.
The court will examine the challenge, while a similar petition was previously dismissed by the Nagpur Bench.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, has been challenged before the Bombay High Court.
The petition was filed by 70-year-old Islamic scholar Maulana Halimullah Farooque Ahemed Khan through advocate Mateen Shaikh.
The petitioner argues that consensual inter-faith relationships and voluntary conversions are protected by privacy, autonomy and religious freedom rights.
The plea challenges enhanced punishment for converting women, broad definitions of “allurement,” and a mandatory 60-day conversion notice.
It also contests shifting the burden of proof to the accused; a similar petition was dismissed by the Nagpur Bench on August 21.
- Who
- Maulana Halimullah Farooque Ahemed Khan, a 70-year-old Islamic scholar, filed the petition through advocate Mateen Shaikh.
- What
- The petition challenges the constitutional validity of provisions in the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.
- Where
- The case is before the Bombay High Court, and the earlier petition was dismissed by its Nagpur Bench.
- When
- The challenge was reported on September 11, 2026; a similar petition was dismissed on August 21.
- Why
- The petitioner alleges that the law violates privacy, personal autonomy, decisional freedom, religious freedom and the presumption of innocence.
Key facts
- Law challenged
- Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Petitioner
- Maulana Halimullah Farooque Ahemed Khan
- Notice requirement
- The law requires 60 days’ notice before conversion.
- Key provision challenged
- Section 9(2), which provides enhanced punishment for converting women.
- Definition challenged
- Section 2(a), defining “allurement,” including terms such as “better lifestyle” and “divine healing.”
- Earlier case
- The Nagpur Bench dismissed a similar petition on August 21 over vague pleadings.
Quotes
Maulana Halimullah Farooque Ahemed Khan
Petitioner and Islamic scholar challenging Maharashtra’s Freedom of Religion Act, 2026
“The choice of a life partner and the decision concerning one’s faith constitute facets of personal autonomy, dignity, privacy and decisional freedom protected under Articles 21 and 25.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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