Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh: Police in Hardoi district have registered a case against three individuals, including a pastor, over allegations of conducting illegal religious conversion activities in Mohammadapur village under the Tadiyawan police station area. Two of the accused have been arrested, while police teams are conducting raids to locate the remaining suspect.
According to police officials, those arrested have been identified as Ram Pravesh and Ram Singh. Efforts are underway to apprehend Pastor Satyapal, a resident of Rasoolpur in the Pihani area, who has been named as the main accused in the case. Tadiyawan Station House Officer Ikhtiyar Hussain said that further investigation is being carried out and additional arrests may follow if evidence establishes the involvement of other individuals.
The case was registered after a complaint was filed by Alkesh Singh, a resident of Panihaiyya village. According to the complaint, Singh received information about a prayer gathering being conducted at the residence of Rajesh Pal in Mohammadapur village. He alleged that the gathering was being used to persuade members of the Hindu community, particularly economically weaker sections, to convert to Christianity.
The FIR states that Pastor Satyapal, along with Ram Singh from Sitapur district and Ram Pravesh from Maliha village, had gathered several villagers for a prayer meeting. The complainant alleged that religious books were being used, candles were being lit, and attendees were being influenced through religious speeches and discussions.
The complaint further alleges that the accused made objectionable remarks against Hindu deities and attempted to convince villagers to adopt Christianity. It also claims that when Alkesh Singh, accompanied by Ashutosh, Lavkush, Shubham and Rajneesh, reached the location and tried to record videos of the proceedings, the accused objected. The complainant alleged that the group was verbally abused and threatened with serious consequences.
Police have included these allegations in the FIR and are examining them as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities said that claims made by local residents regarding a possible wider network involved in such activities are also being verified.
Some villagers have alleged that vulnerable individuals were being targeted through religious videos, mobile content and other forms of communication aimed at influencing them. Police officials said that these claims are being investigated and evidence will be collected before reaching any conclusion.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The accused have been booked for alleged offences related to unlawful conversion through inducement, misrepresentation and unauthorized activities, along with provisions concerning criminal intimidation and other related offences.
SHO Ikhtiyar Hussain said that the matter is being investigated thoroughly and legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered. Police are also examining whether similar gatherings were organized elsewhere in the district.
The allegations against the accused remain under investigation, and the final outcome will depend on the evidence presented during the legal proceedings.