Supreme Court Stays Proceedings Against Pastor for "Only True Religion" Remark

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed criminal proceedings against a Christian pastor accused of outraging religious feelings by claiming Christianity is the "only true religion."

The Bench issued notice to the State of Uttar Pradesh on a plea challenging an Allahabad High Court order.

The High Court had previously refused to quash the FIR, observing that such claims in a secular state imply a "disparagement of other faiths" and attract Section 295A of the IPC.

The petitioner argued that the allegations do not constitute a criminal offence and were intended for harassment. The Supreme Court has now halted further proceedings in the matter.

[Vineet Vincent Pereira v. State of UP]