Citizens For Justice And Peace vs. The State Of Chhattisgarh

ITEM NO.48 COURT NO.5 SECTION PIL-W S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 63/2022 ASHWINI KUMAR UPADHYAY Petitioner(s) VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS. Respondent(s) Date : 14-11-2022 This petition was called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE HIMA KOHLI For Petitioner(s) Mr. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, Adv. Mr. Ashwani Kumar Dubey, AOR For Respondent(s) Mr. Tushar Mehta, SG Mr. Jayant K. Sud, ASG Mr. Kanu Agrawal, Adv. Mr. Pratyush Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Navanjay Mahapatra, Adv. Mr. Kartik Jasra, Adv. Mr. Randeep Sachdeva, Adv. Mr. Mukesh Kumar Maroria, AOR

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R

The issue with respect to the alleged conversion of religion, if it is found to be correct and true, is a very serious issue which may ultimately affect the security of the nation and violate citizens' right to freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice and propogate religion.

Therefore, it is better that the Union Government may make their stand clear and file a counter on what further steps can be taken by the Union of India and/or others to curb such forced conversion, may be, by force, allurement or fraudulent means.

At the request of Shri Tushar Mehta, learned Solicitor General, put up on 28.11.2022.

Counter, if any, on behalf of the Union of India be filed on or before 22.11.2022.

(R. NATARAJAN) (NISHA TRIPATHI) Digitally signed by R Natarajan Date: 2022.11.16 16:57:01 IST Reason:

Signature Not Verified

ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR