Karnataka HC quashes FIR against three men accused of 'preaching Islam' near temple premises

The Karnataka High Court has quashed a First Information Report (FIR) filed against three Muslim men who were accused of "preaching Islam" and distributing religious pamphlets near a Hindu temple in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot district.

The complaint had alleged that the men attempted religious conversion by making promises of employment and passed derogatory remarks about Hinduism.

However, the High Court held that there was no substantial evidence of coercion, fraud, or inducement--criteria necessary for prosecution under the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022.

The court made it clear that mere expression or distribution of religious literature does not amount to an offence unless accompanied by forceful or deceitful attempts to convert.

"The essence of a free society lies in the freedom to express, discuss, and propagate beliefs," the bench observed.

It further stated that peaceful preaching, in the absence of coercion or allurement, is protected under Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely profess and propagate one's religion.

Additionally, the bench noted that the complainant in the case was neither the alleged victim nor a relative of one. As per Section 4 of the 2022 Act, only an aggrieved individual or their close relatives are permitted to lodge such complaints--making the FIR procedurally invalid.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)