SC Refuses to Entertain PIL Seeking Action Against Fraudulent Religious Conversions

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the Center to take measures to combat fraudulent religious conversions in India.

Jerome Anto, a PIL petitioner from Karnataka, asserted that fraudulent conversions were being carried out, particularly targeting Hindus and minors.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked about the nature of the PIL and expressed reservations regarding the increasing utilization of PILs for matters that may not fall within the Court’s jurisdiction.

The bench stated, “What kind of PIL is this? PILs seem to have become a tool, with everyone filing petitions of this nature.”

“If there is an actual challenge and someone is prosecuted, then we can consider it,” it added.

When the petitioner’s counsel inquired about the appropriate avenue for addressing such grievances, the bench responded, “We do not have advisory jurisdiction,” and subsequently dismissed the plea.