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Case Overview

Case Name: National Council of Churches in India vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors.

In National Council of Churches in India v. State of Rajasthan & Ors the Supreme Court of India is examining a constitutional challenge to anti-conversion statutes enacted by 12 States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat & Rajasthan . The matter was heard by a Bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi which tagged the petition with other pending challenges to religious conversion laws . The Court directed that the matter be placed before a 3-judge Bench for final hearing. The petitioner representing nearly 14 million Christians across India has also sought an interim stay on the operation of the impugned laws .

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Key Aspects

The petition raises serious constitutional concerns regarding personal liberty, religious freedom & alleged misuse of criminal law machinery. It shows a growing pattern of enforcement through private complaints and vigilante actions.

• Anti-conversion laws of 12 States have been challenged collectively .
• Laws mandate prior notice & permission for religious conversion.
• Alleged misuse by vigilante groups due to reward-based complaints.
• 3rd party complaints permitted without adequate safeguards.
• Reverse burden of proof imposed on accused persons.

Legal Insights

The challenge is grounded in constitutional guarantees & settled principles of criminal jurisprudence. The petitioner argues that the laws disproportionately interfere with individual conscience and autonomy .

• Article 25, Constitution of India: Violation of freedom of conscience & religion .
• Articles 14 and 21: Arbitrary, discriminatory, and gender-biased provisions.
• Doctrine of Vagueness: Undefined terms like “allurement” and “inducement.”
• Presumption of Innocence: Reverse burden undermines fair trial norms.
• Right to Privacy: State intrusion into personal faith decisions .

Court’s Verdict

The Supreme Court of India has not ruled on merits and has tagged the petition with similar matters pending consideration . The Bench led by CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi indicated that a comprehensive hearing will be undertaken by a larger Bench. All questions relating to the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws remain open. 

Source – Supreme Court of India 

Read also – Constitution of India

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