Section 8. Declaration before conversion of religion and pre-report about conversion

(1) One who desires to convert his/her religion, shall give a declaration in the form prescribed in Schedule-I at least sixty days in advance, to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorized by the District Magistrate, that he wishes to convert his/her religion on his/her own and with his/her free consent and without any force, coercion, undue influence or allurement. (2) The religious convertor, who performs conversion ceremony for converting any person of one religion to another religion, shall give one month's advance notice in the form prescribed in Schedule-II of such conversion, to the District Magistrate or any other officer not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate 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 the proposed religious conversion. (4) Contravention of sub-section (1) and/or sub-section (2) shall have the effect of rendering the proposed 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 six months but may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than rupees ten thousand. (6) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than rupees twenty five thousand.