UP Police registers first case under “love jihad” law, on the very day of its enactment

Uttar Pradesh Police has filed its first case under the state's new “love jihad” law – officially called Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 – on Saturday, the same day that the Governor, Anandiben Patel gave her assent to it.

The case was reported on Saturday at the Deorania Police station in Bareilly district, reported NDTV.

The woman's father alleged that the accused was trying to force her to convert to Islam.

"The boy had abducted the girl. So another case was already filed against him. He was putting pressure on the girl to convert. A case has been now filed under Sections 3 and 5 of the new ordinance. This is besides sections of the IPC," Bareilly Rural Superintendent of Police, Sansar Singh, told media. "The boy is on the run, we are looking to arrest him," he added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Cabinet had brought in the ordinance, which proposes a maximum punishment of 10 years for "love jihad" related offences on Tuesday.

According to the new law, those wishing to change their religion after marriage need to apply to the district magistrate.