Ghaziabad News: Pastor Arrested under Unlawful Religious Conversion Act

Ghaziabad News: A man has been arrested by the Ghaziabad police from Modinagar on Wednesday 26 July in accusation of converting socially and economically backward classes into Christianity.

The man held is identified as Mahindar Kumar, who is a pastor. Mahindar is originally from Peernagar Sudana village of Hapur District has been accused of converting people from backward classes into Christianity. Authorities took action into the complaint registering that some people are pursuing Modinagar locals to convert into Christianity by offering them jobs or money.

FIR registered

ACP Modinagar Gyan Prakash has told the press that the FIR was registered against Rohit and his mother Kusum after complaint filed by Ashish Kumar on Sunday, 23 July of illegal religious conversion. “Case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act 2021.” He further told the media.

ACP Gyan Prakash told police “Investigation revealed that Rohit and Kusum were under the influence of Mahindar Kumar. Police are questioning Rohit and Kusum. During the investigation, Mahindar have been involved in conversion for last eight years and have converted around 15 people.”

Foreign Connections

Police officials have stated that Mahindar and his wife with few other accomplices run a charitable trust by the name of “Bethlehem Charitable Trust” in Hapur district. Under the guise of the charitable trust, the accused used to conduct religious activities. The group use to target people from economically and socially backward classes. The accused Mahindar has been arrested on Wednesday July 26; police is still on lookout for his wife.

In further investigation, it is speculated that Mahindar was receiving donations and funds from abroad which they use to attract people and finance their conversion. Mahindar has also received funds from Punjab and many other states of India. Police have seized Mahindar and Trust’s back account recovering around 5 lakhs.

The article is published on www.dnpindia.in