Maharashtra & Chhattisgarh Pass Laws Mandating 60-Day Notice for Religious Conversion; SC Petitions Pending

President Murmu Assents Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law: 60-Day Notice, 7-Year Jail for Violations

Maharashtra's anti-conversion law receives President's assent, becoming the latest state to regulate religious conversions. The law mandates a 60-day prior notice to the district magistrate, places the burden of proof on the converter, and prescribes up to 7 years imprisonment (10 years for repeat offenders). This is crucial for understanding state legislative powers, fundamental rights (Article 25), and the ongoing debate on religious freedom versus regulation.

Patna HC Rules Religious Freedom Under Article 25 Subject to Public Order and Morality

Patna High Court holds that the right to profess and practise religion under Article 25 is not absolute and can be restricted for public order, morality, and health. This reiterates the essential religious practices doctrine and clarifies that constitutional protection does not extend to every mode of exercise. A plea for 300 devotees in a religious procession in Siwan, Bihar, was dismissed citing past law-and-order incidents.

Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026: 60-Day Notice, 7-Year Prison Term for Forced Conversion

Maharashtra's new anti-conversion law (2026) takes effect on August 28, requiring a 60-day advance notice to the District Magistrate for conversion and imposing up to 7 years' imprisonment for first-time forced conversion offenses. The law has sparked concerns among minority communities about its potential misuse against interfaith relationships and routine religious practice.

Chhattisgarh HC Rules Shariyat Court Cannot Legally Dissolve Marriage; Triple Talaq Order Set Aside

Chhattisgarh High Court held that a Shariyat Court's declaration of triple talaq (Talaq-e-Hasan) has no legal authority. The judgment reinforces the supremacy of constitutional law over religious decrees, a crucial topic for UPSC mains on secularism and Uniform Civil Code.

SC Judge Flags Frivolous Criminal Cases, 4.27 Cr Pending, Calls for Amnesty

Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has sharply criticized the filing of frivolous criminal cases, including those over food choices, poems, and social media posts. He proposed a one-time amnesty for non-serious cases to reduce the massive 4.27 crore pending criminal caseload, highlighting systemic issues in criminal justice and policing.

SC Issues Notice to Centre on Plea to Ban Polygamy Under Section 82 BNS Uniformly

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy among Muslims, arguing it violates gender equality and is a primary driver of female destitution. The plea seeks uniform application of Section 82 BNS (bigamy law) and compulsory registration of Muslim marriages. This case could reignite the Uniform Civil Code debate and has implications for personal law reforms.

Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha Without Debate; SC Issues Notice on Polygamy Ban

Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 without debate amid opposition protests over police crackdown. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court issued notice on a plea to ban polygamy, sentenced Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment for murder of an IB officer, and stayed arrest of former TN minister Senthilbalaji. Multiple other judicial and state-level developments occurred.

Over 5.93 Lakh Cases Pending, 860+ Posts Vacant in Consumer Commissions: Centre in Lok Sabha

Nearly 5.93 lakh cases are pending across the three-tier consumer dispute redressal system (NCDRC, SCDRCs, DCDRCs) as of July 2026. Over 860 posts of presidents and members are vacant, contributing to the backlog. The data was tabled in Lok Sabha in response to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Yeshwant Desai.