Anti-Conversion law: K'taka HC seeks explanation from petitioner on cases against him

Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court sought an explanation from the petitioner of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Constitutional validity of the state’s anti-conversion law.

The PIL filed by Victor Martis of Kadaba in the Dakshina Kannada district came before the division bench of Chief Justice P B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi on Monday.

Counsel for the petitioner pleaded with the court to invalidate the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act as it is “anti-constitutional.”

In reply, Advocate General Prbhuling Navadagi sought to reject the PIL as the petitioner was an accused under the same law being contended. He drew the attention of the court to the fact that there were 2 cases of forced conversion pending against the petitioner and therefore, pleaded with the court, not to consider the PIL.

The HC observed that a PIL filed by an individual who is also an accused under the Act being questioned cannot be entertained. It gave the petitioner a week’s time to submit his explanation on the matter and postponed the case hearing to November 28.