In a comprehensive enforcement drive, Uttar Pradesh police conducted multiple operations throughout October 2025 targeting unlawful religious conversions. Authorities arrested numerous individuals accused of luring, coercing, and inducing people, particularly from vulnerable communities, to convert to Christianity through various deceptive tactics, including monetary incentives, false promises of employment and education, and psychological manipulation.
The crackdown involved the recovery of significant evidence, including Bibles, religious materials, and digital communications documenting conversion activities. Below are accounts of the 11 key incidents reported during this period.
#1 Four Arrested for Luring People to Religious Conversion in Jaunpur – 31 October 2025
In Kerakat, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, police arrested Geeta Devi, Ranjana Kumari, Sonu, and Vijay Kumar for systematically luring members of the Sarki community and surrounding villages into converting to Christianity. Evidence recovered included photographs of Jesus Christ, copies of the Bible, books containing hymns in Bhojpuri and Hindi, and documents detailing church rituals and practices. Investigators also discovered extensive chat histories on social media platforms containing photographs, videos, and messages promoting Christianity and conversion tactics. All four accused were produced before the Jaunpur court and remanded to jail under Section 1961 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 351 of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
#2 Attempt to Convert Religion in Basti District – 28 October 2025
In Parasrampur, Basti District of UP, Ramdayal Sharma, aged 60, was arrested following a formal complaint from Ramanand, a resident of Tirukha village. The complainant alleged that Sharma targeted Hindu women with monetary inducements, pressuring them to abandon their faith and convert to Christianity. The accused employed systematic tactics to exploit vulnerable members of the community through financial lures. Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and proceeded with legal action against the accused, who was formally charged under the provisions of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
#3 Pastor Among Three Arrested in Bareilly for Illegal Conversions – 21 October 2025
In Rohilkhand, Bareilly, Pastor Sumit Masey, Amit Masey, Sarita, and Satyapal were apprehended for conducting organized conversion activities targeting economically disadvantaged sections of society. The accused organized special prayer meetings and distributed Christian religious texts to lure poor Hindu women and children. Complainant Rishabh Thakur reported that the accused deliberately targeted vulnerable populations through systematic religious indoctrination. An FIR was lodged at Baradari police station under Section 299 and Sections 3 and 51 of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. All accused were produced before the court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
#4 Phulpur Police Bust Christian Conversion Racket in Prayagraj – 18 October 2025
In Haribhanpur Village, Phulpur, Prayagraj, police dismantled an organized conversion network involving Ramkumar Pal, Ramsharan Gautam, Tribhuwan Gautam, and Rohit Gautam. The accused were actively converting members of the Hindu community through Christian missionary operations. When local resident Shantanu Tiwari protested these activities, the accused assaulted him with an iron rod, causing injuries. During the violent incident, the accused also snatched the mobile phone of Tiwari’s companion. An FIR was registered under Sections 352 and 1961 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 51 of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Act, 2021. Three accused were arrested, while Rohit Gautam remains absconding.
#5 Hindu Family Pressured into Conversion in Greater Noida – 18 October 2025
In Delta-2 Sector, Surajpur, Greater Noida, a Wipro employee Kapil Garg and his wife Ritu Garg filed a complaint against four Christian missionaries – Anuj Kumar, Sunpreet, Archana Gogia, and Sunita for persistent attempts to coerce them into religious conversion. The accused repeatedly visited the victims’ residence, offering financial incentives and actively persuading them to renounce Hinduism and embrace Christianity. This systematic pattern of harassment and inducement constituted unlawful conversion attempts. Police registered an FIR and initiated investigations into the coordinated conversion network targeting affluent Hindu families.
#6 Man and Woman Caught Attempting Illegal Religious Conversions in Agra – 15 October 2025
In Awas Vikas Colony, Jagdishpura, Agra, Achyut Kumar Devdi from Arunachal Pradesh and Prasanna Dhan from Jharkhand were arrested for conducting illegal religious conversion activities. The accused were distributing literature promoting Christianity and visiting residential areas to indoctrinate Hindu families. Victim Virendra Gautam filed a written complaint stating that the accused visited his home and provided him with Christian religious materials. This evidence of systematic proselytization led to their arrest under provisions of the anti-conversion law. Police registered a formal case against both accused and initiated prosecution proceedings.
#7 Accused of Offering Inducements for Religious Conversion in Azamgarh – 12 October 2025
In Singhwara Khas, Azamgarh District, a six-member group including Suryabhan Sharma, Nirmala Sharma, Ankit Sharma, Aman Sharma, Rampyare Gaur, and Sunita Gaur was implicated in systematic conversion activities. The accused lured people into conversion through deceptive tactics including organizing “satsangs” (religious gatherings) where they promised free medical treatment and educational facilities at Christian-affiliated institutions. The accused deliberately exploited people’s vulnerability and health concerns to engineer religious conversions. Police registered cases against all six individuals and commenced investigation into their extensive conversion network across the district.
#8 Mass Religious Conversions Conducted Under Guise of Healing Meeting in Mirzapur – 12 October 2025
In Basahi Kala Village, Lalganj, Mirzapur, five individuals, including a pastor and a Christian missionary schoolteacher, were detained for orchestrating mass conversions disguised as healing prayer meetings. The accused exploited people’s medical vulnerabilities by claiming that prayer would cure illnesses and supernatural afflictions. Through a combination of inducements, threats, and religious propaganda, the accused successfully converted numerous villagers. The systematic manipulation of faith and health concerns constituted organized conversion activity. Police apprehended all five accused, including a staff member from a Christian missionary-run school, bringing the conversion network to light.
#9 Two Arrested for Converting People by Luring with Money in Chitrakoot – 10 October 2025
In Raipura, Chitrakoot District, Bharat Verma and Ramvishal Savita were arrested for conducting year-long systematic conversion activities targeting poor Hindu families in Ghunuwa village. The accused employed multiple tactics including monetary inducements, derogatory remarks directed at Hindu deities, prayer meetings featuring Bible recitations, and sustained psychological pressure. The perpetrators deliberately targeted economically disadvantaged communities and created religious doubt through disparagement of Hinduism. Police took both accused into custody and registered formal charges. Authorities continue searching for the third accused, Mahesh, who remains absconding.
#10 Man Arrested for Luring People with Money and Jobs to Convert to Christianity in Ballia – 3 October 2025
In Bhimpura, Ballia District, Vinod Kumar, aged 48, was arrested for conducting large-scale conversion propaganda in the Harijan Basti area of Baradih Lawaipatti. The accused, working with external accomplices, systematically distributed Christian propaganda materials while promoting conversion as a path to financial security, employment opportunities, and housing benefits. Kumar actively encouraged residents to destroy Hindu religious idols and embrace Christianity. He falsely promised tangible economic advantages to vulnerable community members. Police registered an FIR under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 351 of the Prohibition of Religious Conversion Act, with Kumar subsequently produced before court for formal prosecution.
#11 Attempt to Convert Religion: Arrest in Jaunpur for Luring 40 People with Money – 1 October 2025
In Rampur, Jaunpur, Harishchandra Gautam, son of Phoolchand Gautam, and an unnamed pastor were arrested for attempting to convert approximately 40 people – 25 women and 15 men through monetary inducements. The accused conducted organized prayer sessions and distributed religious materials at Gautam’s residence. Investigators recovered significant evidence including a Bible, a picture of Jesus Christ, a cross, and video recordings of Jesus Christ prayers stored on the accused’s mobile phone. The coordinated nature of the conversion attempt involving a pastor and substantial financial resources indicated an organized operation. Police arrested Harishchandra Gautam and filed formal charges.
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