The Biccavole Police in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari District have arrested Pastor David Raja Reddy on charges related to forced religious conversions, harassment, and extortion.
The pastor, known for running a church in Balabhadrapuram village in Andhra Pradesh, faces allegations from a local resident, Nakka Srinivas, who claims he was pressured into converting to Christianity and forced to donate one lakh rupees to the church.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Pastor Reddy allegedly demanded the donation from Srinivas and, upon refusal, began harassing him.
The complainant notes that David Raja Reddy, who had converted to Christianity, has been actively proselytizing in the village. Reddy reportedly constructed a church directly opposite Srinivas’s home and has been using loudspeakers during church services, causing a disturbance to nearby residents.
The pastor reportedly amplified his harassment tactics by using loudspeakers at high volume during church gatherings, creating a disturbance and causing significant distress to Srinivas and his family.
The complaint further states that Pastor Reddy repeatedly pressured him to convert to Christianity, despite his clear refusal. He further alleges that Reddy and his associates have been obstructing Srinivas’s property by parking vehicles in front of his house during church gatherings.
The complainant further alleged that Reddy had previously created discord in his household, leading to a separation from his wife. Additionally, Reddy is accused of threatening Srinivas with false accusations of illegal activities, including involvement in the ganja trade and sexual harassment, if he continues to refuse conversion.
This arrest is part of a larger investigation by Biccavole Police, who have charged Pastor Reddy under several sections, including 130, 292, 351, and 308(6) of the BNSS. The case sheds light on ongoing concerns over illegal religious conversions and community disturbances in the area, according to police sources.
Sources in Andhra Pradesh note that this is the first arrest for forced conversion in the state’s history.
Pastor David Raja Reddy arrested by Biccavole Police for:
– Forcing complainant to convert to Christianity
– Demanding Rs 1L as Church fund
– Harassing with High volume loudspeakers for not converting to Christianity
– Causing family disputes leading separation of husband & wife https://t.co/aJlw1coZOA pic.twitter.com/JVjqnvREnN— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) November 12, 2024
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