Religious Crimes in Nepal: Religion Law

Offense Relating to Religion Chapter 9 Section 155-159

National Penal Code of Nepal has criminalized some Religious Actions and Conduct that can lead to potential conflicts and disputes in Nepal. The Laws relating to Religion in Nepal are damaging Sacred Places of other Religions, outraging or offending religious beliefs and sentiments, and forceful conversion.

List of Religious Crimes in Nepal

Injuring Shrines or Sacred Places

Section 155 has strictly prohibited injuring shrines and Sacred places in Nepal. It provisions that no Individual can involve themselves in the act of damaging, injuring, defiling, destroying, or polluting the following:

1. Places of religious worship
2. Places for prayer or religious functions.
3. Objects considered sacred
4. Burial places

Actions performed with the following intention have also been prohibited through this Provision:

1. To outrage or insult the religion or religious feelings of any caste, race, community, or class
2. With the Knowledge that such outrage or insult is likely to occur or could occur.

For the commission of these acts, the individual who carries it out or causes to carry it out can face a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to NPR 30,000.

In the case of a Foreigner injuring shrines or sacred places, the Foreigner is to be deported from Nepal, immediately seven days after they have completed their prison sentence.

Outraging Religious Sentiments

Outraging Religious Feelings has been prohibited in Nepal as a Criminal Act subject to Criminal Law. Section 156 Sub-Section 1 has provided that no Individual is allowed to infuriate or disapprove the religious feelings associated with a particular caste, race, or community.

The Means of outraging Religious Sentiments in Nepal are:

1. Words
2. Visible Representation
3. Spoken Form
4. Written Form
5. Signs etc.

If individuals are proven and convicted to have been engaged in outraging Religious Sentiments, they can be imprisoned for a term not more than two years and a fine less than NPR 20,000.

Obstructing Religious Rites and Rituals

Section 157 of the National Penal Code has prohibited the causing of obstruction of Religious Rites and Rituals. It has provided that no individual should knowingly or with the possibility of knowing, obstruct the upheld religious rites and rituals of other communities. Such Rites and Rituals, however, must have been practiced for a long period.

For the cases of obstruction of religious rites and rituals, the National Penal Code has prescribed that those who commit or cause to commit this offense is liable to face a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of up to NPR 10,000 or Both.

Proselytizing (Conversion) in Nepal

Proselytizing refers to the conversion of any Individual from one religion to another in a forced enforced or otherwise deceptive and manipulative manner. Nepal has prohibited the Conversion of Religion (Proselytizing) in Nepal.

Section 158(1) has stated that no Individual is to be converted from one religion to another to attempt to or abet to be converted from one religion to another.

It has further prohibited conducts undertaken with the intention of undermining another religion or propagating one’s Religion. No Individual should be engaged in any activity that undermines or disrespects the religion, belief, or faith of any caste, race, or community.

Additionally, it shouldn’t be accompanying with the attempt to convert the individual to another religion through inducement or other means.

An Individual engaged in Conversion or Proselytizing can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to five years and fined not more than NPR 50,000.

In the circumstance of a Foreigner engaging in the commission or causing to commit proselytizing in Nepal, they are to be deported from Nepal seven days after the completion of their Imprisonment.

Statute of Limitation

For the Offence of Proselytizing, the complaint can be filed six months from the date of Knowledge of the Offense. However, for other offenses, the Statute of Limitation is six months from the date of Commission.