Pastor among 3 booked in Hardoi for conversion bid

Lucknow: Hardoi police have registered a case against three people, including a pastor, for alleged illegal religious conversion activities in Mohammadapur village under Tadiyawan police station limits. Two of the accused have been arrested, while raids are on to nab the main suspect, officials said on Monday.

SHO, Tadiyawan, Ikhtiyar Hussain said Ram Pravesh and Ram Singh have been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend Pastor Satyapal, a resident of Rasoolpur in Pihani area.

The case was lodged following a complaint by Alkesh Singh of Panihaiyya village, who alleged that a prayer meeting at the house of one Rajesh Pal was being used to persuade members of the Hindu community to convert to Christianity. The complaint claimed that economically weaker villagers were being targeted through religious gatherings.

According to the FIR, Satyapal, along with Ram Singh of Sitapur and Ram Pravesh of Maliha village, had assembled a group and was conducting prayers with religious books and candles. They allegedly attempted to influence attendees through sermons and inducements.