Executive Summary
This report documents 17 cases from different districts of U.P. between July 2022 and July 2026 involving Pastors, Christian believers, and persons attending prayer meetings who were booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
The documented cases reveal recurring features:
- prayer meetings conducted in private homes or rented premises were disrupted by groups sometimes identifying themselves with Hindutva organisations or by persons associated with them;
- police frequently registered FIRs alleging unlawful religious conversion despite limited evidence of any actual conversion;
- allegations in multiple FIRs follow strikingly similar language, including claims that Christianity was glorified, Hinduism denigrated, money was offered for conversion followed by altercation and miraculous healing was promised;
- in three cases in Barabanki district complainant is the same person;
- 2 out of 17 complainants were office-bearers or activists of organisations such as the Bajrang Dal or Vishva Hindu Parishad and in one case he was S.O. of a police station rather than alleged victims of conversion;
- several accused spent weeks or months in custody before obtaining bail;
- in two cases pregnant women were sent to jail, one of whom had miscarriage there;
- in some cases the accused alleged assault, intimidation, or custodial ill-treatment;
- in most cases accused have got bails as the Judges found lacunae in FIRs and no previous criminal history of accused;
- there has been only one conviction so far and 4 acquitals;
- several cases involved Scheduled Caste Christians or believers who continued to identify officially as Hindus because conversion would affect their eligibility for Scheduled Caste benefits.
Taken together, these cases suggest a pattern in which the anti-conversion law is being invoked not only to investigate genuine complaints of coercive conversion but also against peaceful religious gatherings and constitutionally protected religious practice.
The pattern documented in these cases raises concerns regarding impartiality in police investigations. In several instances police registered FIRs immediately upon receiving complaints from third parties, arrested participants attending prayer meetings, and proceeded without any identified complainant claiming to have been unlawfully converted.
Legal Framework
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 criminalises religious conversion brought about through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means.
In 2024 the Act was amended to broaden its operation. Among other changes, the amendment permits any person—not merely the alleged victim of conversion or close relatives—to lodge a First Information Report alleging unlawful conversion. Critics have argued that this substantially enlarges the scope for complaints by third parties and increases the possibility of misuse.
The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of conscience and the right of all persons freely to profess, practise and propagate religion under Article 25(1), subject to public order, morality, health and other provisions of this Part (related to Fundamental Rights). The police action and sometimes Court judgments appear to be in violation of this Article.
Emerging Pattern
Analysis of the documented cases reveals several recurring characteristics.
1. Prayer meetings are the trigger
In nearly every documented case, the police action followed a prayer meeting held in a private residence or rented premises.
2. Third-party complainants
Many complainants were not individuals alleging they had been converted. Rather, they were members or office-bearers of organisations claiming to object to the gathering.
3. Repetitive allegations
Numerous FIRs contain nearly identical allegations, including:
· denigration of Hinduism;
· glorification of Christianity;
· promises of miraculous healing;
· attempts to convert poor people;
· objection by complainant;
· threatening followed by offers of money.
The similarity of allegations across districts raises concerns regarding the use of standardised complaints.
4. Police intervention
Police frequently entered prayer meetings immediately after receiving complaints or sometimes along with the complainant and arrested participants before any judicial determination regarding unlawful conversion.
5. Lengthy incarceration
Several accused remained in jail for weeks or months before obtaining bail.
6. Impact on religious practice
Many Pastors reported stopping prayer meetings or significantly reducing their religious activities following arrest.
CASES
Given below are a sample of cases which came to our knowledge. Apparently hundreds of such cases have happened in Uttar Pradesh since the law came into being in 2021.
Case 1
Accused: Indrakala w/o Mahendra Kumar, r/o Pipri, Kaptanganj, Azamgarh, (2) Subhagi Devi w/o Ghanshyam, r/o Vishunpur, Maharajganj, Azamgarh, (3) Sadhna w/o Dayaram, r/o Akharchanda, Maharajganj, Azamgarh, (4) Samta w/o Sunil, r/o Pasipur, Maharajganj, Azamgarh, (5) Anita w/o late Gopal, r/o Badki Gadhan, Tahbarpur, Azamgarh, (6) Sunita w/o late Nagendra, r/o Vishunpur, Maharajganj, Azamgarh
Police Station: Maharajganj, District Azamgarh
FIR No.: 0286, Date: 30/7/22
Sections: 504, 506 of IPC, 1860, Sections 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Ashutosh Singh
Incident: Ashutosh Singh has alleged that Indrakala along with other accused women has been active in Vishunpur which is a Scheduled Caste settlement of Ward no. 1 of Village Maharajganj in converting people to Christianity by abusing Hindu religion and glorifying Christianity. While the ladies were celebrating the birthday of a child of one of them the complainant entered the gathering and saw the prayer being performed for the child as an act of converting people. He alleges that when he objected to the prayer even he was offered money to convert.
Present Status: Final Report has not been filed yet, all accused have got bail.
Case 2
Accused: (1) Harkhu Ram r/o Gobraha, Phoolpur, Azamgarh, (2) Achche Lal r/o Habu Khan Harijan Basti, Saraimir, Azamgarh, (3) Chandresh Kumar s/o Gulab Chand, r/o Gobraha, Phoolpur, Azamgarh.
Police Station: Phoolpur, Azamgarh
FIR No.: 0370, Date: 23/11/22
Sections: 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Prashant Singh, District Coordinator, Bajrang Dal, Phoolpur
Incident: Complainant alleges that Pastor Achche Lal converts people to Christianity at Harkhu Ram’s residence. When he went there out of curiousity he found that Hindu religion was being denigrated and Christian religion was being glorified. His religious sentiments were hurt. When he objected he was also offered money to convert.
In reality Harkhu Ram passed away in 2010. Achche Lal was arrested on 24/11/22 and sent to jail.
Present Status: Final report has not been filed yet. Achche Lal got bail on 15/12/22 and Chandresh Kumar, whose name was not there in the FIR initially was arrested on 28/12/22, got bail on 12/1/23 by Additional District and Sessions Court.
Case 3
Accused: (1) Bajrang s/o Mayaram, r/o Hulas Kheda, Mohanlalganj, Luckow South, (2) Family members of Bajrang, (3) Unnamed
Police Station: Lonikatra, District Barabanki
FIR No.: 0190, Date: 16/7/23
Sections: 107 of IPC, 1860, Sections 4 and 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, Sections 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Vijay Hindustani
Incident: Vijay Hindustani alleges that Bajrang and about a dozen members of his family have been living on Railway land near Mangalpur railway crossing for the last one year and have lured people to come to Jalandhar where they undergo religious conversion. He claimed that he and his friend Om Prakash Singh called the police on 112 and caught Bajrang and his family members red handed.
Present Status: Trail in progress.
Case 4
Accused: (1) Siyaram Gautam s/o late Channu Ramcharan, (2) Kishore Gautam s/o Siyaram, both r/o Village Saraiya Makboolpur, Post Kutlupur, Dewa, Dist. Barabanki, (3) Barsati Rawat s/o Chotelal, r/o Mohammadpur, Dewa, Barabanki.
Police Station: Dewa, District Barabanki
FIR No.: 0645, Date: 27/7/23
Sections: 504 and 506 of IPC, 1860, Sections 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Ramakant Bajpai
Incident: On 27/7/23 while a prayer meeting was in progress the opponent along with police entered the residence of Kishore Gautam and took him and his uncle Barsati Rawat to the police station. Kishore Gautam was in jail first for 5 days and then for a month.
Complainant alleges that the three accused used to bring some people from outside on every Thursday and were involved in religious conversion activities.
Present Status: Kishore Gautam has been convicted and sentenced to two years of imprisonment on 10/6/26 under sections 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. The other two accused have been acquitted.
Case 5
Accused: (1) Harendra Singh s/o Sadul Singh, (2) Priya Singh w/o Harendra Singh, both r/o 3/334 Janaki Puram Extension, Lucknow North
Police Station: Haidergarh, Barabanki
FIR No.: 0271, Date: 30/7/23
Sections: 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Vijay Hindustani
Incident: On 30/7/23 at 11 am while a prayer meeting was going on in Thathrahi, Town Area Haidergarh, Dist. Barabanki, the local residence of Harendra Singh and Priya Singh, 30-40 people barged in and started asking question about the presence of Bible and also started recording a video. When Harenda too began recording the proceedings, his mobile phone was snatched. Husband, wife and 4 years old son Rihansh were taken to the Police Station Haidergarh. Police asked questions about their bank accounts and source of funding. A mob gathered outside the P.S. while the interrogation was going on. Harendra and wife Priya spent 13 days in Barabanki jail.
Present Status: Presently both husband and wife are out on bail. Family has left Haidergarh and lives in Lucknow now. Their activities have come to a halt. A final report has been submitted by police on 26/8/23 after investigation in which recommendation has been made to award punishment to the accused after examining the evidence.
Case 6
Accused: (1) Santosh K. Nishad s/o Badri Nishad, r/o Madanpura, Nichlaul, Maharajganj, (2) Angad K. Nishad s/o Rogi, r/o Mithaura, Sinduriya, Maharajganj
Police Station: Nichlaul, District Maharajganj
FIR No.: 0410, Date: 20/8/23
Sections: Sections 323 and 506 of IPC, 1860, Sections 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Sheshmani Gaud
Incident: Sheshani Gaud alleges that Santosh and his brother-in-law Angad lured him to become a Christian but when he refused they tore his Rudraksha necklace and beat him up. However, in a statement before the Session Court, Maharajganj on 10/1/24 he denied these allegations. He said he was taken to the police station on 20/8/23 and made to sign a blank paper in exchange for a promise of one day wage, which he gets as a painter.
According to Pastor Santosh Nishad, he was holding a prayer meeting at this house on 20/8/23 when a group of about 10 people barged in and assaulted him accusing him of indulging in religious conversion of people. He was arrested the next day after the above-mentioned FIR was filed against him and his brother-in-law.
Present Status: Both accused have been acquitted on 21/3/25 by Additional Sessions Judge.
Case 7
Accused: (1) Parmeshwar Ram s/o Phoolchandra Ram, (2) Brijesh Yadav s/o Shiv Bachan Yadav, (3) Poonam Yadav d/o Shiv Bachan Yadav, all r/o Tisaura Mafi, Jahanaganj, Azamgarh.
Police Station: Jahanaganj, Azamgarh
FIR No.: 0397, Date: 10/9/23
Sections: Sections 504 and 506 of IPC, 1860, Sections 3 and 5(1) of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Mrityunjay K. Baranwal
Incident: On 10/9/23 when a prayer meeting was being at the residence of Parmeshwar Ram on the complaint of Mrityunjay Baranwal police arrested Parmeshwar Ram, Brijesh Yadav and his sister Poonam on the charge of indulging in religious conversion of innocent people. Poonam was three months pregnant at that time and was sent to jail along with one year old daughter as well.
The FIR mentions that Mrityunjay Baranwal went to the prayer meeting with his friend Muneev Gupta where they heard that Sanatan religion was being denigrated. Their religious feelings were hurt. When they objected they were offered money to convert.
Present Status: All accused got bail on 16/10/23 by Additional Sessions Judge.
Case 8
Accused: (1) Jayprabhu s/o Natraj, r/o Patwadh, Chopan, Sonebhadra, (2) Chekka Immanual s/o C.S. Prasun Kumar, (3) K. Saujanya w/o Chekka Immanual, both r/o Sinduria, Chopan, Sonebhadra, (4) Father Paras r/o Chopan, Sonebhadra, (5) Shankhlal Bharti s/o Harihar, (6) Santlal Goud both r/o Bodhadih Karhiya Gulariya, Jugail, Sonebhadra, (7) Narendra Kumar s/o Narma Ram, (8) Ra Nirohar Ram s/o Nanhak, (9) Ramkesh Kumar s/o Raghunath Ram, (10) Premnath Ram s/o Ramlakhan, all r/o Urmaura Kasba, Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (11) Mister Ajay s/o Sharda Prasad, (12) Chotu s/o Rampati Ram, (13) Sohan Ram s/o late Hriday, all r/o Musahi, P.S. Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (14) Vijay s/o late Ramnath, r/o Sonebhadra, (15) Guddu Ram s/o Shivnath Ram, r/o Musahi, P.S. Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (16) Vijay Kumar s/o late Ram Kishun, (18) Ramniwas Ram s/o late Jawahir, both r/o Purab Mohal, P.S. Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (19) Jagarnath Ram s/o late Ram Daud Ram, (20) Vijay Shankar Ram s/o Jagarnath Ram, (21) Rampati s/o Ramnandan, all r/o Lodhi, P.S. Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (22) Bharat Lal s/o Ramai Prajapati, (23) Rampratap s/o Shri Nath Ram, (24) Ramakant s/o Guput Ram, (25) Rambachan s/o Radulare, all r/o Baburi, P.S. Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (26) Parmanand Bharti r/o Padari Kala, Pannuganj, Sonebhadra, (27) Ramratan alias Ballar Harijan r/o Vill. Kasari, P.S. Pannuganj, Sonebhadra, (28) Vijendra Harijan, (29) Rajendra Kol both r/o Tiyara, P.S. Pannuganj, Sonebhadra, (30) Premnath Harijanr r/o Vill. Dubeypur Baini, Raipur, Sonebhadra, (31) Sanjay John Pastor r/o Vill. Saraigadh, P.S. Raipur, Sonebhadra, (32) Ramdular Maurya S/o Antu, (33) Sunil Kumar s/o Ramvichar Harijan, both r/o Kusumha, P.S. Myorpur, Sonebhadra, (34) Akshay Vishwakarma r/o Vill. Rehta, P.S. Anpara, Sonebhadra, (35) Prakash H.L. Marandi, teacher St. Joseph School, Shaktinagar, Sonebhadra, (36) Durgawati Devi, sanitation worker, Vill. Barwani, Shaktinagar, Sonebhadra, (37) Satish s/o Lale, r/o Vill. Patna, P.S. Rampur Barkoniya, Sonebhadra, (38) Prem Prajapati s/o Gaurishankar, r/o Vill. Dharamdaspur, Rampur Barkoniya, Sonebhadra, (39) Suresh s/o Dinanath, r/o Vill. Karmaon, Police Chowki Churk, Robertsganj, Sonebhadra, (40) Rajkumar s/o Babulal, r/o Vill. Nagwa, P.S. Duddhi, Sonebhadra, (41) Pradip Kharwar s/o Bitan Kharwar, r/o Vill. Nagwa, P.S. Duddhi, Sonebhadra, (42) Vijay Kumar alias Sanjay Bharti s/o Mishrilal Bharti, r/o Vill. Kachan, P.S. Myorpur, Sonebhadra
Police Station: Chopan, Sonebhadra
FIR No.: 0269, Date: 29/11/23
Sections: Sections 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Narsingh
Narrative: The complainant alleges that Jayprabhu, originally from Chennai, came to James T.C. Louis Church in Renukoot in 2011 and bought land from Buddhi Nath Shukla in 2017 and settled here. Similarly, Chekka Immanual and his wife K. Saujanya came from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and Father Paras have been engaged in converting people to Christianity by offering them various allurements and holding Changai (Get Well) meetings promising recovery from ailments. Jesus Christ is presented as the only God and saviour. They take advantage of the illiterate, poor and naive tribal population in this area. Police arrested 22 people on 29/11/23.
Present Status: Charges have been framed.
Case 9
Accused: Sarju Prasad
Police Station: Cantonment, Ayodhya
FIR No.: 206/2024
Complainant: Nirmal Pandey
Incident: According to a complaint of Atul Kumar, son of the accused Sarju Prasad, on 23/6/24 when Sarju Prasad was holding a prayer meeting at 10 am at his residence 597 Subedar ka Purwa, Gaddopur, Post Majhwan, District Ayodhya two people came. One of them introduced himself as Nirmal Pandey and claimed to be a journalist. He called the police and accused Sarju Prasad of engaging in religious conversion of people. Sarju Prasad clarified that they believed in Jesus Christ but had not converted, they remained Hindu. Sarju Prasad was taken away by police at 5 pm the same day. Sarju Prasad’s son Atul Kumar lodged a complaint with the police about how police visited his place multiple times and threatened his family members that they would be implicated in false cases. They took away Sarju Prasad’s mobile phone. Sarju Prasad was not produced in court the next day.
Present Status: Sarju Prasad got bail from High Court on 10/4/25.
Case 10
Accused: (1) Achche Lal s/o Shyamlal, r/o Village and Post Pakhrauli, Kotwali Dehat. Dist. Sultanpur, (2) Rajiv Kumar s/o Rajaram, r/o Kenaura, Kotwali Dehat, Sultanpur, (3) Mukesh s/o Pramod Kumar, r/o Baini, Lambhua, Sultanpur, (4) Subhash Kumar s/o late Mitthulal, r/o Sarai Achal, Kotwali Dehat, Sultanpur
Police Station: Dehat Kotwali, District Sultanpur
FIR No.: 0373, Date: 15/9/24
Sections: 5(1) and 3.of Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 and Section 351(3) of B.N.S., 2023
Complainant: Suman Rao
Incident: According to the testimony of accused on 15/9/24 during a prayer meeting of 20-25 people, two people interrupted and brought the police with them. Accused were taken to the police station where they were beaten by people not in police uniform.
Present Status: After spending 14 months in jail, the accused are out on bail. Their activities have come to a halt. Trail is in progress.
Case 11
Accused: Bechu Azad alias Chedilal s/o Ram Bali Kori, r/o Ramdaspur, Post Inayatpur, Gosainganj, Dist. Sultanpur
Police Station: Gosainganj, District Sultanpur
FIR No.: 0410, Date: 27/10/24
Sections: 351(2) and 351(3) of B.N.S., Sections 3 and 5(1) of Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Jiyalal Kori
Incident: According to the testimony of accused on 27/10/24 while a prayer meeting was in progress, Bajrang Dal activists along with police entered the house of Bechu Azad and started beating the people present there. Police asked him why was his organization not registered. Police registered the case.
Present Status: Bechu Azad got bail on 27/11/24 by Additional Sessions Judge.
Case 12
Accused: (1) Munnilal s/o Sukhiram Rawat, (2) Munni Lal s/o Khushiram, (3) Ramkala w/o Munnilal, (4) Sanju w/o Bablu, (5) Vidyawati w/o Rasajiwan, all r/o Gautamanpurwa Majre Rauni, Haidergarh, Barabanki, (6) Parshuram s/o Matai, r/o Joraas, Lonikatra, Barabanki, (7) Gokaran s/o Bharose, r/o Goriya Purwa Majre Dundipur, Lonikatra, Barabanki, (8) Radha w/o Jagjeevan (9) Silochani w/o Shivara, (10) Deena s/o late Pancham, all r/o Mangalpur, Lonikatra, Barabanki
Police Station: Haidergarh, District Barabanki
FIR No.: 0376, Date: 7/11/24
Sections: 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Vijay Hindustani
Narrative: Vijay Hindustani claims that he got information that outside the house of Munni Lal s/o Khushiram Rawat some people had gathered and Parshuram and Gokaran were preaching to the remaining people about the capacity of Christianity to cure people of illness and hence were engaged in converting people. Accordingly, he informed the police on 7/11/24.
Present Status: Nine accused got bail on 19/11/24 by Sessions Court.
Case 13
Accused: (1) Ashok Kumar s/o Jagannath, r/o Ataria, Dist. Sitapur, (2) Anurag Bharti s/o Rajesh Kumar, r/o Vill. Rajlamau, Post Ismailpur, P.S. Gursahayganj, Dist. Kannauj, (3) Balram s/o Sundar Lal, r/o Vill. Budhnapur, Post Mahewaganj, P.S. Kotwali Sadar, Dist. Lakhimpur Khiri, (4) Rampal s/o Parmeshwar, r/o Vill. Fatte Kherwa, Post Manduri, P.S. Rampur Kalan, Dist. Sitapur, (5) Anil Kumar s/o Devdutt, r/o Vill. Gopalpur, P.S. Gola, Dist. Lakhimpur Khiri, (6) Chenda Dukpa s/o late Tashi Dukpa, r/o Vivek Nagar, Sidhauli, Sitapur, (7) Ankit Rawat s/o Ram Kumar, r/o Vill. Chaturpur, Post Kumhrawan, P.S. Itaunja, Dist. Lucknow, (8) Nikson Baksh s/o Wilson Baksh, (9) Aabiel Baksh s/o Nikson Baksh, both r/o Amraitha Road, Jalim Kheda, Nawabganj, P.S. Ajgain, Dist. Unnao, (10) Manisha Singh w/o Algin Singh, r/o Mohanpur Grant Uchaulia, P.S. Pasigawan, Dist. Lakhimpur Khiri, (11) Ram Padarth Yadav s/o Kunj Bihari, r/o Someshwar Nagar II Mama Bhanja Talab, COD Road Kasba, P.S. Naini, Dist. Allahabad, (12) Krishna Pal alias Samarpan s/o Munnalal, r/o Araji No. 374, near Nankari Bagiya Church Pradhan Gate, P.S. Kalyanpur, Kanpur, (13) Sunil s/o Maikulal, r/o Vill. Rajapurwa, Post Kusum Khor, P.S. and Dist. Kannauj, (14) Sandeep Kashyap s/o Ramnarayan, r/o Vill. Bhainsamau, P.S. Bakshi ka Talab, Dist. Lucknow, (15) A.B. George s/o late K. George, r/o Tulsidas Ward Indra Mohan Nagar, P.S. Damoh Dehat, Dist. Damoh, M.P., (16) Nishant Rule Walter s/o Harris Deepak Walter, r/o Mohalla S.H. 26, Vaishali Nagar, Damoh Khas, P.S. Damoh Dehat, Dist. Damoh, M.P., (17) Dil Bahadur Thapa s/o late Kharak Bahadur Thapa, r/o 647 B/H 289 Ward No. 1, Janakipuram Garden II, P.S. Janakipuram, Dist. Lucknow, (18) Amarpal Rana s/o Shambhulal, r/o Vill. Kumhrawan, P.S. Mahangwan, Dist. Lucknow, (19) Yunus Loyal s/o late Jiyalal, r/o 3A Airforce Mohalla Deviganj, P.S. Chakeri, Kanpur.
Police Station: Sidhauli, Dist. Sitapur
FIR No.: 334/2024
Sections: Sections 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, .
Complainant: Abhishek
Incident: According to the testimony of accused on 12/12/24 in Village Katsaria a training of 25-30 Pastors was going on. The police came and arrested seven people and took them to the police station. A 71 pages training manual was confiscated. They threatened that Ashok Kumar and Balram would face encounter. Next day all seven were taken to S.P., Sitapur office. Here they were beaten by Vikram Singh of the Crime Branch and by S.P., Chakresh Mishra himself. The accused were forced to abuse Jesus Christ. They were asked to say ‘Halelua’ and they would say it, they were beaten again. They hit Anil’s leg so brutally that he suffered an injury which became a sore. Now it has developed into a cancer and he has to spend lot of money in its treatment.
Present Status: Anil Kumar got bail on 4/1/25, Ankit Rawat on 7/1/25, Ashok Kumar, Anurag Bharti, Balram, Rampal, Sunil on 9/1/25, Manisha Singh on 30/1/25, Chenda Dukpa on 12/3/25, Nikson Baksh, Sandeep Kashyap on 17/3/25, Aabiel Baksh, Ram Padarth Yadav, Krishna Pal alias Samarpan, A.B. George, Nishant Rule Walter, Dil Bahadur Thapa, Amarpal Rana, Yunus Loyal on 2/4/25 by Additional Session Judge.
Case 14
Accused: (1) Kishore s/o Bhikha, (2) Rinki w/o Kishore, both r/o Baurumau, Madiyaon, Lucknow, (3) Preeti w/o Mukesh, r/o Sarmen, Jamo, Amethi, (4) Kalpi d/o Kamta Prasad, r/o Mubarakpur, Jagdishpur, Amethi, (5) Nisha d/o Ramnath, r/o Poore Radhika Tiwari ka purwa Majre Ram Bakshgarh, Jamo, Amethi, (6) Pushpa Devi d/o late Harishankar, r/o UPSIDC Colony, Karauli, Amethi.
Police Station: Jagdishpur, Dist. Amethi
FIR No.: 0067, Date: 9/3/25
Sections: Sections 3 and 5(1), U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, Complainant: Ashwani Pandey
Incident: According to the testimony of accused on 9/3/25 while a prayer meeting was going on in a Church functioning from a rented house, about 150-200 people belonging to right wing Hindu organizations entered and started creating a ruckus. They also ransacked the place. Kishore’s property and car was damaged during the incident. Police was called. Kishore, Rinki and four other accused women were taken to the police station. Kishore was beaten up. Rinki was two months pregnant at that time. On 10/3/25 all six accused were sent to jail. Rinki suffered a miscarriage in jail. After spending a month in jail all accused were released on bail.
Kishore was arrested again from a hotel in Gaya, Bihar on 23/8/25 after showing a stolen mobile phone recovered from him. On 26/8/25 the Railway police brought him to Varanasi where he was sent to jail.
Present Status: After spending another 25 days in jail Kishore is out on bail.
Case 15
Accused: Vijay Kumar s/o Lalji, 42 yrs., r/o Parmandapur, Post Sajoin, Dist. Varanasi.
Police Station: Jansa, Varanasi
FIR No.: 0017, Date: 23/1/26
Sections: Sections 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Aman Seth, District Communication Chief, VHP, Varanasi
Incident: According to his deposition Vijay Kumar used to run Pastor Unity in rural area. There were about 25 Pastors in each of seven Districts connected with him. On 4 January, 2026 Pastor Ravi Joseph had organised a post-Christmas programme in Harauan, Varanasi in which children were being given gifts. Hindutva organizations members barged in and stalled the proceedings. Vijay Kumar was in touch with Ravi Joseph over phone. Police took Ravi Joseph’s mobile number and put Vijay’s number on surveillance. Ravi Joseph and his son Enos and 2 other people were arrested by police of P.S. Bada Gaon. Vijay went to Delhi on 5 January. Upon returning after a week he visited Chandauli and Lucknow. On 11 January he met with an accident and broke his right hand. He was taking rest at home when on 20 January police came to his house at 4 pm. They asked his wife whether it was Vijay’s residence. This was police from Bada Gaon P.S. even though Vijay’s P.S. is Jansa. Vijay switched off his mobile and went downstairs to meet the police. Police asked him whether he knew Ravi Joseph, Enos and others arrested on 4 January. When he acknowledged, police asked him to come along for interrogation regarding Ravi Joseph matter. They asked him to bring his mobile phone. His wife made an excuse that mobile had broken during accident. Police said it was a lie as they were tracking the mobile phone and it was in their home. Daughter brought the mobile phone and gave to police. Wife requested the police to let Vijay Kumar wear proper clothes. His right hand was in plaster. Police accused him of helping Christians in the garb of social work. Vijay was taken to Bada Gaon P.S. DCP came to interrogate. Even police officers from Lucknow came to interrogate. They enquired whether Vijay gave money to Pastors to convert people to Christianty? They were curious about his sources of funding. Vijay said he works with people’s cooperation. Police got a/c details of his personal a/c. On 4th day he was brought to Jansa P.S. Nandlal Master, a well known social activist was with Vijay for 2 days at the Bada Gaon P.S. Pastor Vijay Rajdoot from Bachaon, Varanasi also came to meet him at the P.S. Vijay Rajdoot met ADG and Police Commissioner along with Vijay Kumar’s wife. When Vijay Kumar was brought to Jansa, S.O. refused to take him and scolded the police personnel from P.S. Badagaon for illegally taking Vijay to Badagaon. Badagaon police got a FIR filed on the false complaint of Aman Seth associated with VHP that one Gulab Singh s/o Brahmdev Singh, r/o of P.S. Jansa area, was offered Rs. 40,000 for converting to Christianity. The complaint said Gulab Singh had got Rs. 5000 and Rs. 35,000 was pending till after conversion. DCP forced SO, Jansa to keep Vijay at his P.S. DCP tanuted Vijay saying that he wanted to get the benefit of SC status as well as from being a Christian. On 5th day. 24 January, on the basis of the abovementioned false complaint Vijay was sent to jail. He spent one month in jail. Was tortured for the first 15 days. Was kept in Barrack no. 10 which is know for extortion. Food was liquid dal, roti, rice. After 15 days his barrack was changed. Earlier he had done social service in the Central Jail for 2 months by provided soap, oil, biscuits, ets. to prisoners. Jansa P.S. Incharge asked him to introduce him to other Pastors for the purpose of extortion. Meanwhile from among the two people with whom he was in regular touch Ajay and Dharmendra, Ajay got arrested after his arrest. For two months Vijay Kumar was physically, psychologically and economically broken, Prayer at house has been stopped. Now he only meets people one to one. His other social work continues.
Present Status: On 28 February he got bail and was released the next day. There are no summon from court yet.
Case 16
Accused: (1) Dheeraj Singh s/o Subhash Singh, r/o Gaurhata, Khanpur, Dist. Ghazipur, (2) Rajesh Maurya s/o late Sachu Maurya, (3) Kamlesh Kumar s/o Bhagelu Ram, both r/o Itwa, Sakaldiha, Dist. Chandauli, (4) Guddu s/o Girja alias Karia, r/o Nevada, Chitaipur, Kashi, Varanasi, (5) Dinesh Kumar Patel s/o Motilal Patel, r/o Pahadiya Ganpat Nagar, Sarnath, Varuna, Varanasi, (6) Ajit Kumar, s/o Rajendra Ram, 25 years, r/o Vill. Nigura, P.S. Dhanapur, Dist. Chandauli
Police Station: Sakaldiha, District Chandauli
FIR No.: 0145, Date: 9/7/26
Recovery: 7 copies of Bible, 50 religious books, 200 pamphlets
Sections: 5(1) and 3 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Complainant: Bhupendra Kumar Nishad, S.O., P.S. Sakaldiha, Chandauli
Incident: Some informant told the police that Dheeraj Singh was engaged in religious conversion of some people at the residence of Kamesh Kumar in Village Itwa. No local witness was willing to become to complainant hence the S.O. himself got the FIR registered.
Ajit Singh’s father’s, who belong to Scheduled Caste category, leg broke in accident. He took him to hospital. When he got a phone call asking him to come to a prayer to pray for his father, he went to join the meeting at Kamlesh’s place. In the police action which followed his motorcycle was also seized along with other vehicles.. Ajit used to carry bricks and belongs to a poor family. Because of dispute at P.S. Dhanapur his wife has left him. He was also accused of luring people by paying money for conversion. Ajit is in jail at present. Family is psychologically, physically, economically broken. Upper caste people of the area are angry as most SCs are not coming to them after accepting Jesus Christ.
Present Status: Dheeraj, Guddu, Dinesh got bail on 29/7/26 and Kamlesh got bail on 1/8/26.
Case 17
Accused: (1) Chandrabhan s/o Nandkishore, (2) Arti w/o Chandrabhan, (3) Seema w/o Manoj, all r/o Village Barsawa, Mohanlalganj, South Lucknow, (4) Subla w/o Daniel, (5) Daniel s/o Sundaram, both r/o Village Harikanshgadhi, Mohanlalganj, South Lucknow, (6) Sheela w/o Ajay Rawat, (7) Ajay Rawat s/o late Medhelal.
Police Station: Mohanlalganj, Luckow South
FIR No.: 0272, Date: 23/7/26
Sections: 352 and 351(2) of B.N.S., 2023, Sections 3, 5(1) and 11 of U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Complainant: Amit Kumar
Incident: Complainant alleges that the accused have tried to convert him to Christianity. When he asked them to refrain from converting the people of his village, he was threatened. Amit Kumar then called the police.
Present Status: All accused in jail.
The documented cases suggest that the application of the Act has extended beyond addressing coercive or fraudulent religious conversion. In many cases, criminal proceedings appear to have been initiated following peaceful prayer meetings without clear evidence of unlawful conversion. The cumulative effect has been prolonged criminal proceedings, detention, disruption of religious worship, and a chilling effect on the exercise of religious freedom.
Human Rights Concerns
The documented cases raise concerns relating to:
· freedom of religion (Article 25 of the Constitution);
· freedom of association;
· arbitrary arrest;
· prolonged pre-trial detention;
· due process;
· custodial violence;
· intimidation of religious minorities;
· chilling effect on peaceful religious practice.
This report does not conclude that every allegation of unlawful conversion is unfounded. However, the recurring factual patterns documented here raise serious concerns regarding selective enforcement, procedural fairness, and the compatibility of current enforcement practices with constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
Recommendations
The Government of Uttar Pradesh should:
· review the implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021;
· ensure that police register cases only where there is credible evidence of coercion, fraud, or force as defined by law;
· prohibit police interference in peaceful prayer meetings unless there is reasonable suspicion of a cognisable offence;
· investigate allegations of custodial violence and misconduct documented in this report;
· provide compensation where arrests are found to have been unlawful;
· issue clear operational guidelines to prevent misuse of the Act.
The Government of India should:
· ensure that enforcement of anti-conversion laws remains consistent with Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution and India’s international human rights obligations.
The judiciary should:
· ensure prompt disposal of cases involving allegations of unlawful conversion;
· scrutinise the evidentiary basis for prosecutions initiated by third-party complainants.
However, in view of the documented pattern of arrests and prosecutions, Socialist Party (India) and Socialist Lawyers’ Forum recommend repeal of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 along with the 2024 amendment.
Prepared by: Sandeep Pandey, Secretary General, Socialist Party (India), Phone: 0522 2355978, 3564437, ashaashram@yahoo.com
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