Ghaziabad (UP) Pastor Arrested for Alleged Religious Conversion After Bajrang Dal Complaint

Ghaziabad (UP), June 16, 2025 – Police in Ghaziabad have arrested two men, including a pastor, on allegations of attempting to convert Scheduled Caste (SC) individuals by offering incentives. The arrest was made on Sunday after a complaint was filed by a Bajrang Dal member, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Pastor Vinod Kunjumon, originally from Kerala and currently residing in Sahibabad, and Premchand Jatav, a resident of Rahul Vihar, Ghaziabad.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Wave City, Priyashri Pal, the arrests followed a complaint by one Prabal Gupta at the Crossings Republik police station. “The complaint alleged that people from SC backgrounds were being encouraged to convert through monetary and material inducements. While no conclusive evidence has yet been established, an investigation is underway,” she told The Indian Express.

When visited the locality on Monday, Jatav’s single-storey residence in Rahul Vihar—where the alleged conversions were reported—was found shut, with visible damage to its gates.

Locals refuted the claims, saying no conversions had taken place. “He only conducted prayer gatherings every Sunday,” said 54-year-old Satish Anand, a neighbour who runs a local eatery. “People from nearby areas like Rahul Vihar and Buddh Vihar would attend, but he never encouraged anyone to convert.”

Another resident shared that Jatav, who formerly ran a dairy, installed a signboard three years ago, after which locals began referring to his house as a church. Gupta, identifying himself as a Bajrang Dal member, claimed that Pastor Vinod had been conducting conversions at the premises. His complaint stated: “Premchand converted to Christianity some years ago and began hosting Sunday prayer services, using them as a platform for the pastor to reach out to others and influence them to convert.”

Gupta further alleged that Bajrang Dal members were attacked when they attempted to intervene.

Crossings Republik Station House Officer, Preeti Garg, confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) was filed under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (death threats), and 352 (breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

“We’ve registered the case and arrested both individuals based on the complaint. Further legal procedures will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation,” ACP Pal added.

Source: The Indian Express