Section 8: Declaration before conversion of religion and prereport about purification Sanskar

(1) One who desires to convert his religion, shall give a declaration at least one month in advance, in the prescribed proforma, to the District Magistrate or the Executive Magistrate specially authorized by District Magistrate that he wishes to convert his religion on his own and at his free consent and without any force, coercion, undue influence or allurement. (2) The religious priest, who performs purification Sanskar or conversion ceremony for converting any person of one religion to another religion, shall give one month's advance notice of such conversion, in the prescribed proforma, to the District Magistrate or any other officer appointed for that purpose by the District Magistrate of the district where such ceremony is proposed to be performed. (3) The District Magistrate, after receiving the information under sub-section (1) and (2), shall get an enquiry conducted through police, with regard to real intention, purpose and cause of that proposed religion conversion. (4) Contravention of the Sub-section (1) and/or sub-section (2) shall have the effect of rendering the said conversion, illegal and void. (5) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months, but may extend to one year and shall also be liable to fine. (6) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, but may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.