On June 22, 2025, Assam police arrested Pastor Isaac Hapat from Margherita under POCSO Act for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl repeatedly over two weeks. In this report, we take a look at cases of child sexual abuse, forced religious conversions, visa violations by foreign Christian evangelists, abuse in Christian schools, and harassment of Hindu priests.
#1 Pastor Arrested for Repeatedly Raping Minor In Assam
On 22 June 2025, Assam police arrested Pastor Isaac Hapat from Panigaon, Margherita, for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl multiple times between June 10-22. The accused reportedly brought the minor to his home under the pretext of religious activities and household help during his wife’s absence. The victim stated Hapat tied her hands, threatened her, and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. She escaped on 22 June 2025, revealing the abuse to her family. An FIR was filed under POCSO Act Section 6. Locals expressed shock, stating Hapat exploited their trust. Investigations continue as the pastor remains in custody.
#2 Pastor Arrested for Raping 10-Year-Old In Assam
On 5 November 2018, Assam police arrested 60-year-old pastor Chandra Kumar Pradhan from Karbi Anglong district for raping a 10-year-old girl on October 29. Pradhan lured the victim to a garden near his residence, assaulted her, and fled. A 35-year-old accomplice was arrested for recording and uploading the crime. The victim disclosed the assault to her parents on October 31, prompting an FIR. Pradhan, who evaded arrest by hiding in Nagaland, was finally apprehended in Kohima. He faced charges under IPC and POCSO Act for rape and aggravated sexual assault.
#3 School Principal Arrested For Molestation In Assam
On 20 August 2018, Father Philips, principal of St. Mary’s School in Nalbari, Assam, was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a female cook on school premises. The victim reported that Philips entered her room in the morning and tried to assault her before she escaped. Local villagers surrounded the campus demanding action after being informed. Belsor Police Station registered FIR No. 188/18 under IPC Sections 354-A and 354-C (sexual harassment/voyeurism). Officer Dipul Boro confirmed the arrest. The incident occurred at Panigaon village, with police intervening to control the agitated crowd.
#4 Man Attempts Suicide Over Conversion Pressure in Assam
On 20 April 2025, Manoj Rabha from Palashbari, Assam, attempted suicide after alleging coercion to convert to Christianity. Rabha, a former BJP Yuva Morcha member, claimed his family had already converted under pressure from missionary groups led by Ratan Bora. In a Facebook Live, he accused Bora of employing 15-20 pastors with monthly salaries to propagate Christianity, allegedly funded from abroad. Rabha stated he sought help from CM Himanta Biswa Sarma but received no response. Police rescued him after his suicide attempt.
#5 Canadian Evangelist Deported from Assam for Visa Violations
On 7 February 2025, Assam Police deported Canadian citizen Brandon Joel DeWalt from Jorhat for conducting religious conversion activities on an expired tourist visa. DeWalt, in Assam since 2021, had his visa expire on 17 January 2025. Police discovered he ran evangelical meetings at Grace Church and operated a conversion-focused YouTube channel, violating visa terms. Jorhat SP Shwetank Mishra stated an adverse report was sent to FRRO Kolkata, which issued a ‘Leave India Notice’. DeWalt was handed to FRRO Kolkata and deported from New Delhi. His visa renewal application was rejected due to the violations.
#6 US Nationals Fined for Visa Violation at Assam Religious Event
On 31 January 2025, Assam police fined two US citizens – John Matthew Boone and Michael James Flinchum – $500 each for attending a Baptist Christian Association office inauguration in Tezpur on tourist visas. Sonitpur ASP Madhurima Das confirmed their participation violated visa norms prohibiting religious activities. The Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) Kolkata was notified and may issue “Leave India” notices. The incomplete building’s inauguration was deemed a religious gathering. This follows Assam’s 2022 directive to monitor foreign nationals’ participation in conversion activities, which previously led to 27 deportations of foreign preachers in one month.
#7 5 Arrested for Alleged Forced Conversion in Assam Village
On 10 December 2024, Palasbari police detained five individuals – Jayanta Das, Nayan Das, Hiten Das, Dhiraj Das and Ashim Rabha – following clashes in Velera village, Kamrup district. Villagers reported the group had been attempting to convert Hindu residents to Christianity through inducements and threats, with Christian symbols recently appearing in the area. Tensions escalated when locals resisted the conversion efforts, leading to confrontations. Police registered an FIR and launched an investigation.
#8 Clash Erupts Over Alleged Conversion Attempt in Assam Village
On 4 December 2024, tensions flared in Valera village, Kamrup, when 22 Christians from Kamrup-Goalpara Christian Forum attended a “Na Khawa” dinner at Nitumani Das’s house. Villagers accused them of attempting conversions, citing four families had already converted. The Christian group denied proselytizing or bringing beef. Clashes occurred, with allegations of assault and lost jewelry. Palashbari police rescued the visitors and registered an FIR. Five villagers including Ashim Rabha were arrested by December 11 for alleged forced conversions.
#9 Church Leader Arrested For “Magical Healing” Under Assam’s Anti-Conversion Law
On 26 November 2024, Assam police arrested Pranjal Bhuyan, a leader from Golaghat Baptist Church, under the new Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Act. The 38-year-old was accused of attempting Hindu conversions through “magical healing” in Dergaon town. Charged under BNS Sections 316(2), 318(2), 354, 299 and Section 6(a) of the healing act, Bhuyan faces up to 3 years imprisonment. The Assam Christian Forum condemned the arrest, calling it unconstitutional. This marked Assam’s first Christian arrest under the February 2024 law banning “evil healing practices”.
#10 Mizo Gospel Singer Couple Booked for Alleged Forced Conversions in Assam
On 26 September 2024, Assam police registered an FIR against Mizo gospel singer Bethsy Lalrinsangi and her evangelist husband C. Lalhriatpuia for alleged forced religious conversions during prayer meetings at Mount Olive School, Debitola. The complaint was filed by an RSS-affiliated Hindu organization alleging child conversions. The Kokrajhar District Court denied the couple’s interim bail plea. Church officials stated they hadn’t received case documents and couldn’t identify the complainants. The couple, recognized by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, faces charges for allegedly converting children during their gospel gatherings.
#11 Hindu Man Found Hanging in Assam Amid Conversion Dispute
On 12 September 2024, 20-year-old Biki Bishal was found hanging in a Lakhimpur tea garden after visiting his Christian girlfriend’s home. His family alleged he was murdered for refusing religious conversion, citing blood traces on his face. Five arrests included two church officials and the girlfriend’s relatives. Police were investigating whether it was suicide or murder. The incident followed Bishal’s alleged September 3 elopement with the minor girl, whom her family later reclaimed. The girlfriend’s family remained silent.
#12 Amazon-Funded Missionaries Accused of Illegal Conversions in Assam
On 25 October 2022, Swedish missionaries Hannah Mikaela, Marcus Arne Henrik Bloom, and Susanna Elisabeth Hakanason were arrested in Naharkatia, Assam, for participating in Christian prayer meetings and attempting conversions while on tourist visas. Similar actions by seven German missionaries in Kaziranga followed. Two Indian preachers facilitated these events. Assam Police charged them under the Foreigners Act and deported them. Reports link Amazon’s US office, via Amazon Smile, to funding the American Baptist Mission’s front – All India Mission – which claims to have converted 25,000 people in Northeast India, mainly targeting tea tribes and vulnerable communities.
#13 Hindu Student Tortured in School for Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, Assam
A 10-year-old Hindu student was allegedly abused and physically tortured at Calvary English School, a Christian missionary institution in Khelmati, Assam, for chanting “Jai Shri Ram” in class on February 5. The teacher and headmaster reportedly assaulted the child. After the student informed his parents, angry locals confronted the school. Police and the district education officer intervened, warning the school not to repeat such incidents. Hindu group Kutumba Suraksha Parishad condemned the act, citing violations of child rights under Article 51(A) and demanded action against the school and changes in teachers’ religious attire.
News coming in from #Assam
Christian teacher of ‘Calvary English School’ tortured a minor Hindu boy for saying Jai Sri Ram. Students alleged that teachers always say bad things about Hindu Dharma, don't do Murti Puja, Ganga river and beef. Everything is done by Jesus and so on.+ pic.twitter.com/hlx2UyZMiu— Hindu Voice (@HinduVoice_in) February 9, 2024
#14 Hindu Priest Harassed in Majuli for Opposing Missionary Conversions
In Majuli, Assam, a key centre of Vaishnavism, Janardan Deva Goswami, head priest of the historic Dakshinpat Ashromi, faced harassment and legal action for opposing aggressive Christian missionary conversions. On August 1, 2019, a convert named Prasanta Payeng filed a case accusing Goswami of blocking religious freedom. The dispute involved a church structure built on Debottar (temple-owned) land. Although police confirmed the encroachment, Goswami was still summoned to court and granted bail. Hindu groups say this reflects a growing pattern of targeting those defending native culture, warning that unchecked evangelism threatens Majuli’s centuries-old Vaishnavite heritage.
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