Overview
- A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru issued the order on October 28 while disposing of the case.
- The petition by Kanker resident Digbal Tandi alleged segregation of Christians and misuse of a drive promoted as ‘Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat’.
- The court held that preventing conversions by allurement or fraud is not unconstitutional, while affirming that voluntary conversion remains a legitimate exercise of conscience.
- State counsel Y S Thakur argued gram sabhas acted within PESA powers and said the hoardings target outside pastors accused of illegal conversions, citing past unrest including a 2023 incident in Narayanpur.
- The court noted the petitioner had not exhausted alternative statutory remedies, and the hoardings in at least eight Kanker villages remain validated by the order.