The Supreme Court stayed criminal proceedings against a Christian pastor accused under Section 295A IPC for allegedly claiming Christianity is the only true religion, observing the matter requires consideration.
The Supreme Court of India, on April 10, 2026, issued notice and stayed further criminal proceedings against Reverend Father Vineet Vincent Pereira, who had been accused of offending religious sentiments under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code.
The case arose from an Allahabad High Court order which refused to quash an FIR alleging that the pastor, during prayer meetings, stated that Christianity is the only true religion, thereby hurting the sentiments of members of another faith. The High Court had observed that in a secular country like India, claiming one religion to be the only true religion could amount to disparagement of others.
Challenging this order, the petitioner approached the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta stayed the proceedings and issued notice to the State of Uttar Pradesh.
The petitioner argued that the FIR did not disclose any offence under Section 295A IPC and that he was being falsely implicated. It was further contended that the Magistrate had taken cognizance without proper application of mind and without sufficient supporting evidence.
The Supreme Court’s interim order provides relief to the petitioner while raising important questions regarding the balance between freedom of speech and religion under the Constitution and the scope of criminal liability for religious expression.
Recent Post
