In a significant development highlighting the ongoing enforcement of Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion legislation, the Mirganj police have arrested a 51-year-old Christian missionary on charges of attempting to convert Hindus through inducement and derogatory remarks against Hindu deities. The accused, identified as Prempal (51), son of Patiram, a resident of Bhudasi village under the Sisgarh police station area, was apprehended on July 9, 2026, following a complaint lodged by a local resident. He was subsequently produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.

The Incident and Complaint

The case originated from Sainjna village in the Mirganj police station area of Bareilly district. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered on July 9, 2026, a village resident named Ankit, son of Khubkaran, filed a written complaint stating that a religious gathering had been organised at the house of one Gajendra, son of Chedalal, in Sainjna village. The complainant stated that Prempal was conducting Christian religious propaganda during this meeting and attempting to persuade attendees to convert to Christianity.

Ankit’s complaint further detailed that the accused was luring people with promises of employment, financial assistance, and support in marriage ceremonies. Additionally, the FIR alleges that when some villagers objected, Prempal made objectionable remarks against Hindu gods and goddesses and the Hindu faith. The complaint also states that religious propaganda material was distributed, and claims of faith healing — including exorcism, treatment of serious illnesses, and protection from witchcraft — were made through prayer sessions.

Police Action and Arrest

Acting on the complaint, a police team led by Sub-Inspectors Nitin Shirish and Rajveer Singh, under the supervision of Station House Officer (SHO) Ravi Kumar, conducted a raid at the location. The police apprehended Prempal from the gathering and recovered a substantial quantity of Christian religious literature from his possession.

The seized items include: one Bible; one copy of “Shastra Bhajan Sanhita aur Niti Vachan”; two copies of “Naya Niyam” (New Testament); one book titled “Muktidata Kaun”; one book titled “Bedari Ke Geet”; one handwritten notebook; and one mobile phone. All materials have been seized as evidence and forwarded for forensic examination.

Legal Provisions Invoked

The Mirganj police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Specifically, the FIR invokes:

• Section 62 of the BNS — pertaining to attempts to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment
• Section 299 of the BNS — dealing with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting their religion or religious beliefs
• Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 — which prohibit conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or by any fraudulent means, and prescribe enhanced penalties for conversion of minors, women, and persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

SHO Ravi Kumar confirmed that the accused was produced before the competent court on July 10, 2026, which remanded him to judicial custody. The investigation is currently underway, with police examining the seized literature and digital evidence from the mobile phone.

Context: Pattern of Similar Cases in Bareilly

This arrest is not an isolated incident in Bareilly district. Over the past two years, multiple cases of alleged illegal religious conversions have been reported from various police station areas, including Baheri, Baradari, Prem Nagar, and Izzat Nagar. In August 2024, Pastor Ishwari Prasad was arrested in the Baheri area for allegedly brainwashing and converting poor Hindus, including women and children, while reportedly insulting the Ramcharitmanas.

In October 2025, three persons — including Pastor Sumit Masey, Amit Masey (alias Akshay Masey), and Sarita — were arrested by Baradari police for allegedly luring poor and underprivileged Hindus, particularly from Dalit and socially weaker communities, with promises of better living conditions and faith healing. A fourth accused, Satyapal, remains absconding in that case.

Legal Framework: UP Anti-Conversion Law

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, which came into force in November 2021, provides for stringent punishment ranging from one to ten years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹50,000 for violations. The law prohibits conversion through force, allurement, fraudulent means, or marriage. It also places the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate that the conversion was not effected through prohibited means. Enhanced penalties apply when the converted person is a minor, woman, or belongs to SC/ST communities.

Official Statements

Mirganj SHO Ravi Kumar Singh stated: “Based on the complaint received from Ankit, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The accused Prempal has been arrested and sent to jail. Investigation is ongoing”.

Circle Officer (CO) of the concerned area has also been briefed on the matter, and senior police officials have directed a thorough probe to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger organised effort.

The case continues to develop, with police expected to file a chargesheet upon completion of the investigation. The matter has once again brought focus to the rising cases of fraudulent conversions of Hindus and the cases implementing Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law and the broader debate surrounding religious freedom, inducement, and community tensions in Bharat’s most populous state.