High Court refuses to dismiss complaint in Khambhat case of attempted conversion: Preliminary observation that an attempt was made to convert by taking advantage of the compulsion of the economically weaker section.

Gujarat High Court refuses to quash FIR registered against an ASHA supervisor for allegedly forcing her to preach Christianity in front of her Hindu subordinate employees and attend a religious event. Accused of preaching Christianity and criticizing idolatry The Khambhat rural police had registered a case against ASHA supervisor Namrata Makwana under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act. In a complaint filed by an ASHA worker, he and four other ASHA workers were accused of reading Bibles and Christian literature, showing videos preaching Christianity and criticising idolatry. More than Rs 30 crore received from JWI He also alleged that he had threatened to reduce his salary if he did not comply. The complaint stated that he was also invited to a religious function at Vadodara on the pretext of a departmental meeting. These incidents took place between the years 2022 and 2024 and FIRs were registered in November, 2025. The police had filed a chargesheet against him, in which according to the evidence presented, his family was associated with Jehovah's Witnesses of India-JWI and he received more than Rs 30 crore from the JWI. There was no attempt at coercion, inducement or conversion The petitioner had argued in the high court that he was a follower of Jehovah's Witness and that propagating his religion was a protected right under Article 25 of the Constitution. His counsel submitted that there was no coercion, inducement, fraud or attempt of conversion, the complainant had no right to complain on behalf of others and the proceedings were legally barred as it was not permissible under Section 6 of the Act. This is just personal animosity pointing out shortcomings in the work He also submitted that his subordinate had filed the complaint more than a year after the incidents and that it was done with the intention of taking revenge against him for sharing sacred biblical teachings, literature and videos. This was only a personal grudge as flaws were pointed out in the work of the complainant. Targeting Economically Weaker Sections The state government opposed the plea on the grounds that the evidence collected during the investigation showed a cognizable offence. After the hearing, the high court noted that if one peruses the investigative literature, it indicates that the petitioner had targeted people from economically weaker sections, took advantage of their financial situation, propagated Christianity by closing the room and criticizing idolatry in Hinduism and pointed out the alleged benefits of conversion through the experiences of those present at the event in Vadodara. The High Court dismissed the petitioner's plea These facts prima facie show that an offence cognizable under the provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 has been committed. The HC dismissed the petitioner's plea and allowed him to make all valid arguments before the trial court.