Overview
- The court rejected the Uttar Pradesh government's claim that interfaith or live-in partners must comply with Sections 8 and 9 of the 2021 conversion law absent any plan to convert.
- It clarified the Act applies only when an actual conversion is effected through misrepresentation, force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraud, or by marriage or a relationship in the nature of marriage.
- No petitioner alleged conversion, and the court emphasized Articles 14, 15 and 21, treating the couples as consenting adults entitled to equality and personal liberty.
- Justice Vivek Kumar Singh directed that police verify applications and provide protection where warranted, and that couples may file complaints or FIRs over any attempted forced or fraudulent conversion.
- The ruling covered 12 petitions—seven involving Muslim women with Hindu partners and five vice versa—and instructed authorities to follow established protective measures for at-risk couples.