Lucknow: Three persons were arrested in Deoria district for allegedly trying to persuade villagers to convert to Christianity by offering monetary inducements and claiming that prayers to Jesus Christ could cure ailments and resolve family disputes, police said.
The arrests were made after a complaint at Shrirampur police station, following which an FIR was registered under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Police identified the accused as Ramkuvar, a resident of Balivan Khas village in the Shrirampur area, and Anil Gaur and Suresh Kumar , both residents of the Bairia area in Bihar’s West Champaran district.
During these meetings, they allegedly encouraged people to pray to Jesus Christ, claiming such prayers could bring relief from “incurable” diseases and help solve personal and family problems. Complainant Shyamji Gupta, also from Balivan Khas, alleged that the three had been holding Sunday gatherings at Ramkuvar’s house for nearly a year.
A gathering was held around 11 am on Sept 27, and the written complaint was received and the case registered at 6.25 pm the same day, according to the FIR.
Police said an investigation is underway.