On 9th November, Shravasti Police foiled a large-scale religious conversion attempt in Bhayapurwa village under Hardatt Nagar Girant Police Station area. As per media reports, around 150 villagers had gathered at a “prayer meeting” where attendees were being persuaded to convert to Christianity through inducements.
Station House Officer (SHO) Mahimanath Upadhyay and his team reached the spot following a tip-off and detained Rajesh Kumar alias Gaglu, the main accused in the case. During the search, police recovered several Christian religious books, pamphlets, and a register containing the names and addresses of the villagers who attended the event. According to police officials, Rajesh was addressing the attendees, highlighting the “virtues of Christianity” while using derogatory language against Hinduism.
Inducements and foreign funding angle under probe
During interrogation, Rajesh reportedly admitted to organising the meeting with the help of local aide Kundan. The two accused, along with two others who managed to flee, were offering money, ration, jewellery, and food supplies to convince people to convert to Christianity. Police seized an SBI passbook and photocopies of 20 bank passbooks of different banks. Further investigation is underway to trace possible funding routes for the conversion network.
Furthermore, police found that Rajesh has links to Jalandhar, Punjab, from where religious material and instructions were being sent. Police also suspect the involvement of pastors from Sitapur and Nepal, who are believed to have visited the area for similar conversion drives.
In a statement, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Bhati said that police recovered incriminating material from the site, including 197 licence cards, 198 registry identity cards, 484 baptism certificates, one SBI bank passbook, and other passbooks belonging to those who came to attend the meeting. He added that those who attended the meetings were paid, and police are investigating the money trail of these accounts. The police have registered a case under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
#SP_Shravasti श्री राहुल भाटी के निर्देशन में PS हरदत्तनगर गिरन्ट पुलिस द्वारा सामूहिक धर्म परिवर्तन कराने वाले 02 अभियुक्त गिरफ्तार-
धर्मांतरण कराने में प्रयुक्त धर्मग्रंथ(बाईबिल), सर्टिफिकेट,बैंक पासबुक आदि अन्य सामग्री बरामद।
उक्त के संबंध में #SP_Shravasti की बाइट-#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/V86L44Utwe— Shravasti Police (@shravastipolice) November 10, 2025
Repeat offence and ongoing investigation
Locals told police that the region had witnessed a similar attempt 18 years ago in 2007. Authorities say the same family has remained under watch for their suspected role in spreading conversion propaganda.
In a statement, SHO Upadhyay said, “We are investigating the financial and regional links of the accused. Our aim is to uncover the entire conversion network operating in the district.” He confirmed that two people have been taken into custody while two are absconding.