Sewa Nyaya Utthan foundation
Service. Justice. Inclusion
New Delhi: In a significant development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the District Magistrate (West) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Delhi) to lodge an FIR against Zion Global Worship Centre located in West Delhi for advertising miracle-healing claims among vulnerable sections.
The directions were issued after the Bench of NHRC Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo, took cognisance of a complaint by the Foundation under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Allegations Raised by SNU
In its complaint, SNU alleged that the religious centre operating in West Patel Nagar, Delhi, had been distributing pamphlets among economically vulnerable residents of nearby slum settlements claiming that accepting Jesus and participating in prayers could miraculously cure illnesses, remove suffering, and solve personal problems.
The complaint alleged that such activities:
- amount to religious inducement through miracle-healing claims;
- violate the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954;
- exploit economically vulnerable individuals through unverified medical claims; and
- undermine scientific temper.
NHRC’s Observations
After examining the complaint, the Commission recorded that the allegations prima facie appear to violate the human rights of the victims.
Accordingly, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate (West) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Delhi) to:
- conduct an inquiry into the allegations made in the complaint;
- lodge an FIR;
- investigate the alleged violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954;
- take appropriate legal action regarding the alleged illegal religious conversion activities; and
- verify whether the concerned organisation possesses the necessary permission or licence to operate the church.
The Commission has further directed the authorities to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks for its consideration.
Significance
The Commission’s order marks a substantive procedural step in the matter. By taking cognisance under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, recording that the allegations prima facie indicate human rights violations, and directing registration of an FIR along with a statutory investigation, the NHRC has required the concerned civil and police authorities to formally examine the allegations through the criminal justice process.
Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation will continue to monitor compliance with the Commission’s directions and pursue all lawful remedies to ensure that the investigation is carried out fairly, expeditiously, and in accordance with applicable law.
