Pune Police withdraw religious conversion charges and impose festival restrictions

Pune Police have withdrawn charges related to the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act in two separate cases after discovering the legislation is not yet operational. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that while the Act, which criminalizes religious conversion through coercion or fraud, has received presidential assent, it is not scheduled to come into force until August 26, 2026. The error occurred because officials assumed the law was active at the time the offences were registered.

Separately, Pune authorities have implemented 14-day preventive restrictions from August 17 to August 31, 2026, to maintain public order during the upcoming festival season, including Eid-e-Milad and Raksha Bandhan. Under the Maharashtra Police Act, gatherings of five or more people now require prior police permission. The restrictions also prohibit the carrying of weapons, the display of provocative materials, and inflammatory speeches or social media content that could disturb public peace.