CJI Sanjiv Khanna listed a significant case for detailed hearing on May 13, the final day of his tenure. He said, “We need to hear this matter in detail,” highlighting its national importance.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has scheduled a detailed hearing on a batch of petitions challenging anti-conversion laws for the week of May 13, 2025 which is also his final day in office.
The matter brought before the bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who requested the court to urgently consider his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging alleged illegal religious conversions and defending state anti-conversion statutes.
The CJI responded to the request by stating.
“We need to hear this matter in detail. List it in the week commencing May 13.”
This scheduling sparked interest in legal circles, as May 13 is Justice Khanna’s last working day as Chief Justice of India. He is retiring on that day, with Justice BR Gavai set to be sworn in as the next CJI on May 14.
During the exchange, Advocate Upadhyay argued,
“My Lords, religious conversion is akin to waging a war. Every day, 10,000 Hindus are being converted.”
He insisted on the urgency of the issue, claiming that thousands of Hindus were being illegally converted daily and that existing anti-conversion laws were essential for protecting religious freedom.
The bench, however, declined to hear arguments in isolation and emphasized the need to hear all perspectives.
The bench told Upadhyay, indicating its intention for a comprehensive and fair hearing,
“Why are you arguing? Have we heard the other side? We must hear them first,”
Several petitions are pending before the Supreme Court challenging anti-conversion laws enacted by various states, including:
- Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019
- Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020
- Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020
- Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act
These laws primarily aim to regulate religious conversions and prohibit conversions through force, fraud, or inducement. However, critics contend that these laws are being misused to target specific religious communities, particularly Muslims, and infringe upon the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Also Read: UP Religious Conversion Cases| Supreme Court Sets May for Final Hearing
In 2021, the Supreme Court allowed Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to intervene in the proceedings, acknowledging their concerns about the discriminatory application of such laws against Muslims.
The decision to schedule the case during the week of CJI Khanna’s retirement has attracted attention, leading to speculation about whether he will have the opportunity to fully hear the matter or issue any preliminary observations before leaving office.
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