Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district have arrested four individuals, two men and two women, for allegedly luring people into religious conversions.
In an operation conducted on Thursday morning, the Chandvak Police recovered several items, including Bibles, Christian hymn books, religious registers, photo frames, and mobile phones containing chats, videos, and photos related to conversion activities.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Srivastava, the arrests were made around 7:15 a.m. under the leadership of the Station House Officer of Kerakat. Those arrested have been identified as Geeta Devi, her daughter Ranjana Kumari, Sonu, and Vijay Kumar, all residents of Sarki village.
A case has been registered under Crime Number 16/25, Sections 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 3/5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. The accused were produced in court following their arrest.
Police said that from Geeta Devi’s possession, officers recovered a large and small photo frame of Jesus Christ, several Bibles, and Christian hymn books titled “Masihi Bhajan Mala” in Bhojpuri and Hindi, along with an Android mobile phone containing videos and chats related to conversion activities. From Ranjana Kumari, the police recovered two Bibles, four registers, a Christian hymn collection, a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone and a tablet — both containing religious promotion material. Vijay Kumar was found with a Holy Bible and an Infinix mobile phone containing similar evangelical content.
Police officials stated that further investigation into the network and possible involvement of others is underway.