Plea in Supreme Court Seeks ‘Terrorist Act’ Tag for Forced Religious Conversion After TCS Nashik Case
Petition urges Centre and States to take stringent measures, citing threat to national unity and constitutional values
New Delhi, April 17, 2026: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking directions to classify forced or deceitful religious conversion as a “terrorist act,” following recent allegations linked to a corporate office in Nashik.
The plea, filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, comes in the backdrop of serious allegations involving sexual harassment and forced religious conversion made by eight female employees at a Nashik office of Tata Consultancy Services.
The petition argues that fraudulent religious conversion poses a significant threat to the country’s sovereignty, secular fabric, democratic values, and social harmony. It further claims that when such conversions are carried out systematically or through coercion, they should fall within the definition of a “terrorist act” under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to the plea, organized conversion efforts may involve coercion, fraud, or inducement and could be linked to larger conspiracies aimed at disturbing demographic balance and national integrity. It has urged the Court to direct both the Centre and State governments to take strict steps to curb such practices.
The petition also calls for the establishment of special courts to handle cases related to religious conversion and seeks a directive that punishments in such cases be served consecutively rather than concurrently.
Addressing constitutional provisions, the plea emphasizes that while Article 25 guarantees the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, this freedom is not absolute. It is subject to reasonable restrictions concerning public order, morality, and health. The petitioner contends that this right does not extend to converting others through force, coercion, or deceit.
The matter is part of an ongoing legal effort by the petitioner, who has previously sought stronger legal measures to regulate fraudulent religious conversions.
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