JUDGMENT :

1. The judgment is being structured in the following framework to facilitate the discussion:

A. Facts

B. Rival Submissions

C. Anti Conversion Laws/Freedom of Religion Act

D. Law Governing Interfaith Marriage

E. Development of Law

F. Multiplicity of Marriage Law

G. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

(i) Historical Perspective

(ii) Constituent Assembly Debate

(a) Objection to UCC

(b) Response to UCC

(c) UCC whether necessary or desirable

H. Hindu Family Code – Its impact

I. Personal liberty and Privacy

J. Analysis and Conclusions

K. Relief

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel appearing for the State-respondents.

3. Notice is not being issued to the contesting private respondents in view of the order proposed to be passed.

4. Petitions are being decided finally at the admission stage, as per Rules, on the consent of the parties.

A. Facts

5. The batch of petitions (17 in number), pertain to interfaith marriage contracted by the petitioners. Petitioners, herein, claim to be major and one of the party to the marriage has converted to the religion/faith of his/her partner. The petitioners apprehend threat to their life, liberty and wellbeing. Hence the instant writ petiti