HC directs DGP not to book any one under Freedom of Religion Act

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Ahmedabad, May 26 (UNI) Gujarat High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) that no person should be booked under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003, as no notification in the official gazette has been issued in this regard.

The directive was issued by vacation judge Justice Anant S Dave on the petition of All India Christians Council yesterday.

''The DGP herein has been directed to intimate all concerned districts SPs and district collectorates that no notification in the official gazette appointing the date for bringing Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 into operation is issued. No offence is to be registered pursuant to that,'' the High Court said while hearing a special criminal application and fixed further hearing on June 21.

Reacting to the order, All India Christians Council today demanded Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's resignation for registering a case against Alpha Charitable Trust Mission director Mr G U Nathan on May 20 under the ''non-existance Act''.

The Council in a press statement said the Gujarat assembly had passed a bill in 2003 to prevent conversions but the Act was not operational as rules under the Act were not framed by the Government.

Meanwhile, the Government has amended the Act and passed the ''Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006'' and sent it to the Governor for his approval. However, till date, the Governor has not given his sanction. ''Since the bill has not been approved by the Governor, the law is not operative and not a part of the legal base of Constitution,'' the Council said. The registering of a case under the non-existence law by Anand police is illegal.

The Trust had also filed a police complaint on May 20 against senior SI M D Lathiya of Anand police station and two others for registering a criminal case against the Trust.

The Council, while stating that the Chief Minister appears to be conspiring before the assembly elections to spread communal flame in the State, has advised him to obey the ''Raj Dharma (his Constitutional duty of ruling the State)''.

UNI

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