Raj plans 10-year jail term, ₹50k fine in anti-conversion bill

The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2024, which proposes a jail term of up to 10 years for the accused and ₹5 lakh as compensation for victims in cases of forceful conversion, is set to be tabled in the state assembly in the upcoming budget session.

- Urvashi Dev Rawal

The bill was cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday, after "several instances of religious conversion through inducements or fraud" came to light in the state, law minister Jogaram Patel said.

Apart from making it a non-bailable offence, the bill lays down stringent penalties for forced or fraudulent conversions.

According to the bill, a copy of which was seen by HT, the family of an accused will be booked. The punishment for forcible conversion extends from one year to five years along with a fine of ₹15,000.