India, Aug. 18 -- Days after invoking the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act which criminalises conversion through coercion or fraud in two cases registered in the city, Pune Police have withdrawn its sections as the Act is yet to come into force.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act is set to come into force from August 26, 2026, as per a government notification.

Police first invoked the Act in an offence registered at Fursungi police station on August 5, where a 22-year-old man is accused of forcing his wife, a minor, to convert to his religion.

The second case was registered at Khadak police station against an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder from the UK for allegedly attempting to induce people to embrace Christianity...