Pune, Aug. 19 -- The Pune City Police has withdrawn provisions of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act from two cases after it emerged that the legislation had not come into force when the offences were registered.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, which criminalises religious conversion through coercion, fraud or other prohibited means, is scheduled to come into force on August 26, 2026, according to a government notification.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Tuesday confirmed that the provisions had been withdrawn, while stressing that investigations under other applicable laws would continue.

"We have withdrawn the sections of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. However, the sections of other Acts will remain...