7 Indian Christians accused of violating conversion law

Seven Christians have been accused of violating the stringent anti-conversion law in two separate incidents in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

Police arrested Pastor Ram Udeshy Sahani, Babulal Sahani and Vinod Kumar on July 14 in Maharajanj district.

They were charged with converting a man by allegedly offering money and promising miraculous healing, according to a complaint lodged by his wife, Chanda, who was identified by only her first name.

The police in Senduria village said the woman alleged in her complaint that her husband, who was identified by a single name, Anil, removed portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses from their home after his conversion.

The three Christians were arrested but Babulal Sahani and Vinod Kumar were released on bail on July 16.

“The police did not invoke the provisions of the anti-conversion law” against the two, said a lawyer dealing with their case.

Four other Christians were accused of converting Hindu villagers in the Moradabad district by a leader of a group 

Police reportedly arrested two among them and were on the lookout for the two others.

Group local leader Pankaj Singh Pal registered the complaint at the Thakurdwara police station.

He accused the Christians of converting Hindus by offering them “fridges, televisions, bicycles, motorcycles and sewing machines among other things” and “a cash reward of 25,000 rupees

Pal alleged that those ready to become pastors were offered a monthly remuneration of 35,000 rupees and household expenses.