The country saw several instances of crackdown on illegal religious conversion in the past month. This report details 15 separate incidents of alleged unlawful religious conversion occurring in the state of Uttar Pradesh throughout September 2025, as compiled from various Indian news sources.
The documented cases consistently follow a pattern, accusing evangelical Christian groups and individuals of systematically targeting impoverished, tribal, and Dalit communities. The methods of inducement include promises of miraculous healing, financial aid, job opportunities, and educational support.
In response, law enforcement agencies across multiple districts have taken action, made numerous arrests and registering cases under the stringent Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. These events have sparked significant legal and social discourse on religious freedom and coercion in the region.
#1 Mirzapur Conversion Racket Busted
On 30 September 2025, Mirzapur police uncovered a major inter-state religious conversion racket, arresting five individuals, including the alleged mastermind, Dev Sahayam Daniel Raj from Tamil Nadu. The gang was accused of systematically targeting poor, tribal, and underprivileged families, luring them with money, sewing training, and “healing prayer meetings” to convert them to Christianity. Investigations revealed the group had already converted nearly 70 people and was in advanced preparations to convert 500 more. A case was registered at the Ahraura police station, and a probe has been initiated to uncover the gang’s funding sources and wider network across state lines.
#2 Gorakhpur Women Arrested for Conversion
On 29 September 2025, in the Sahjanwa area of Gorakhpur, police arrested two women, Lakshmi Yadav and Roshni, for allegedly operating a religious conversion racket. The accused, a beauty parlor operator and her aide, were reported to have lured poor villagers by promising miraculous cures for illnesses and a better life through their spiritual practices. Lakshmi allegedly used a handkerchief in fake healing acts and offered hopes of jobs and money to convince people to read the Bible. Police raided a house in Sahjanwa, arrested the duo, and recovered religious materials related to conversion activities.
#3 Fake Healing Gatherings in Lucknow
In 28 September 2025, Nigohan police in Lucknow arrested a man named Malkhan for allegedly orchestrating religious conversions through fraudulent “Changnai Sabhas” (healing meetings). A convert since 2016, Malkhan used a hall on his farmland as a church to lure Dalit women and children from nearby villages. He performed staged healing acts, such as claiming to cure epilepsy, and offered money to persuade families to adopt Christianity. Using a WhatsApp group named “Yeshu Changnai Sabha,” he spread his influence and conducted baptisms. Police arrested him and launched an investigation into his financial sources and conversion network.
#4 Mass Conversion Attempt in Gorakhpur Village
On 28 September 2025, police intervened in a mass conversion attempt in Bhagoura village, Sahjanwa, Gorakhpur, where approximately 100 women had been gathered inside a house. Members of the Christian community were allegedly carrying out collective conversions at the location. Upon receiving information, law enforcement reached the scene and detained four to five individuals accused of orchestrating the event. An investigation was launched to determine the scope of the operation and the methods used to gather and influence the villagers, highlighting concerns over large-scale, organized conversion activities in rural areas.
#5 Charge Sheet in Kundawali Village Case
On 27 September 2025, police submitted a charge sheet to the court against four accused—Anju, Hridesh Kumar (alias Vicky Pastor), Neetu, and Surendra Pastor—in a conversion case from Kundawali village, Islamnagar. The incident, which occurred on 26 August 2025, involved individuals from Kasganj and Bisauli gathering villagers to conduct Christian prayers and lure them into conversion. Investigations revealed that Pastor Surendra, the alleged mastermind, had already converted over 200 people using financial temptations. The accused pressured villagers by repeatedly visiting their homes and conducting prayers, leading to about 30 conversions before police action was taken.
#6 Marital Fraud and Coercion in Firozabad
On 24 September 2025, in the Tundla area of Firozabad, a case was registered against Brijmohan (alias B.M. Masi) and his family members for allegedly forcing his wife, Jamuna Devi, into religious conversion following a fraudulent marriage. The complainant stated that 11 years after marrying under Hindu rituals, she discovered her husband had concealed his Christian identity. She accused him of assaulting her for worshipping Hindu deities, forcing their daughters to participate in Christian practices, and promising benefits like free education and foreign money if they converted. Police have begun an investigation into the assault and forced conversion allegations.
#7 Tension Over Conversion Gathering in Basantpur
On 22 September 2025, tension erupted in Mohad Ward, near the Shivnath River in Basantpur, Chhattisgarh, when 15-20 people from the Christian community gathered for prayers. Local villagers opposed the gathering, alleging it was a religious conversion meeting intended to lure people into Christianity. The situation required police intervention from the Basantpur police station. The matter was ultimately resolved on the spot through counseling and dialogue, preventing further escalation. This incident underscores the social friction and communal sensitivities surrounding conversion activities in the region.
#8 Eight Arrested in Hardoi for Inducements
On 22 September 2025, in Bhauptuwa village, Adampur, Hardoi, police arrested eight individuals, with Lal Singh as the main accused, for allegedly attempting forced religious conversions. Based on a complaint, it was revealed that the accused organized a gathering where candles were lit, prayers were conducted, and religious texts, including copies of the Bible, were distributed. The villagers were reportedly enticed with promises of monetary benefits and free medical treatment in exchange for converting to Christianity. Cases were registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
#9 Phoolpur Gathering Targets Hindu Deities
On 21 September 2025, in Baudai village, Phoolpur, police registered a case against 12 named individuals for allegedly using a religious gathering to lure people into Christianity while making offensive remarks against Hindu deities. The meeting, held under the guise of “Changnai Sabhas” or fake healing prayers, was intended to convert members of the local Hindu community. The accused, including Santosh, Ram Ashray, and others, were charged under relevant legal sections. This case highlights the use of derogatory statements against indigenous faiths as a alleged tactic in conversion efforts, further inflaming religious sentiments.
#10 Agra Racket Lured People from Multiple States
On 19 September 2025, Agra police arrested Rajkumar Lalwani and eight others for allegedly running a large-scale religious conversion racket from his home in Kedarnagar, Shahganj. Lalwani lured people from states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra under the pretense of providing treatment or solving financial problems. Participants were reportedly subjected to conversion rituals involving meat and blood, and later taken to large prayer gatherings in Ambala. Each Sunday, large meetings were held at an ashram for the converted individuals. Lalwani was remanded to jail, and investigations, including warrants for other accused, continue.
#11 Illegal Church Preyed on Dalits in Phoolpur
On 19 September 2025, in Baudai Katauta village, Phoolpur, Prayagraj, an illegal church was found to be luring poor Dalit villagers with promises of money and other inducements. The church, connected to an entity called the “Changaai Sabha Agriculture School,” was also allegedly holding seminars to influence people against Hinduism. Police questioned two individuals involved and recorded their statements as part of an ongoing investigation into the forced conversions. This incident highlights the specific vulnerability of economically and socially marginalized groups to such alleged conversion activities.
#12 Shahjahanpur Couple Ran Long-Term Racket
On 16 September 2025, Shahjahanpur police arrested a couple, Harjeet Mashi and Sunita Mashi, from the Sidhauli area for allegedly running a long-term forced conversion racket. The duo reportedly lured locals by offering cures for illnesses and financial benefits, pressuring them to adopt Christianity. During the arrest, police recovered religious literature meant for influence and evidence of monetary support from various trusts. The accused were presented in court and sent to jail after cases were registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law.
#13 Basti Church Used Money and Medicine as Bait
On 17 September 2025, in the Chandrashekhar Azad Nagar Ward of Babhnan, Basti, police arrested two individuals, Ram Nihor and Ramtej, for allegedly using a local church to coerce conversions. The accused were reported to have lured people, particularly Hindu women, to prayer meetings by offering money and medicines. Once there, they pressured them to adopt Christianity. A case was registered under the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Conversion Act 2021. The accused were arrested near Marvatia village, presented in court, and subsequently sent to jail.
#14 Farrukhabad Gang Used Online and Offline Methods
On 3 September 2025, Farrukhabad police busted a conversion gang led by Pradeep Mashi operating from the Kadri Gate area. The gang allegedly lured poor and distressed villagers to religious gatherings at Mission Hospital residences, promising to solve their problems and relieve poverty or ailments. Attendees were prohibited from Hindu worship, gradually pressured to convert, and subjected to rituals like tilak removal and meat consumption. The gang also conducted online prayer meetings via Google Meet under the name “Church of God.” Police arrested Pradeep Mashi and seized religious literature and documentation of conversion attempts.
#15 Unauthorized Prayer Meeting in Basti
On 1 September 2025, in the Rani Pokhara Mohalla, Basti, police registered a case against four individuals—Harihar Yadav, Ambika Prasad, Shiv Shankar, and Durgavati—for organizing an unauthorized prayer meeting. The gathering was allegedly held under the pretext of a religious event to pressure locals, particularly from scheduled castes, into adopting Christianity. The police intervention prevented the meeting from proceeding further, and an investigation was launched to ascertain the full intent and activities of the accused, marking one of the first such reported incidents in the state for the month.
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