An investigation reveals that in nearly seven years since Uttarakhand enacted its Freedom of Religion Act, all five cases that reached full trial have ended in acquittals due to lack of evidence of coercion. Courts have highlighted gaps in police probes and consensual relationships in many instances. The law, aimed at curbing forced conversions, has seen rising registrations but limited convictions.
The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, introduced in 2018 by the BJP government, seeks to prohibit conversions through force, coercion, or inducement. An analysis by The Indian Express, based on records from 30 RTI applications, shows 62 cases registered until September 2025 across 13 districts. Of 51 cases reviewed, only five proceeded to full trial, all resulting in acquittals by lower courts.
Courts frequently cited insufficient proof of coercion, consensual interfaith relationships, and procedural flaws. For instance, in a 2021 case from Tehri Garhwal, Vinod Kumar was acquitted in January 2024 after a complaint alleged he praised Christianity via Facebook videos. The court noted no evidence of inducements and upheld the right to propagate religion without infringing others' rights.
Pastor Narendra Singh Bisht and his wife faced charges in Nainital's Ramnagar in October 2021 over alleged mass conversions. Acquitted on September 17, 2025, Bisht stated, “After the arrest, it became difficult to live in the same house… We moved 15 km away from the village… It was a long battle, but we won in the end.” The prosecution failed to specify instances of inducement.
Other acquittals involved claims of kidnapping and rape alongside UFRA charges, where women later affirmed willing relationships. In Almora's Ranikhet in July 2023, a woman denied coercion during cross-examination, leading to Mohammad Chand's acquittal in March 2025.
Amendments in 2022 and 2025 increased penalties, yet cases rose, with 20 in 2023 and 18 by September 2025. In ongoing trials, most accused are on bail, often granted after noting contradictions or consent. Seven cases were dismissed midway due to hostile witnesses or lack of corroboration.
Interfaith couples seeking protection have also faced charges for not notifying magistrates, though courts have quashed some FIRs. The findings underscore challenges in proving forced conversions amid rising interfaith unions.
