Rajasthan High Court Grants Bail to Catholics Jailed for Over Three Months in Prayer Gathering Case

Udaipur, August 12, 2026: The Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to 10 Catholics who had spent more than three months in judicial custody in connection with a case arising from a prayer gathering in Kalinjara village of Rajasthan's Banswara district. Fr. Arvind Amliyar, parish priest of Bandaria Parish, confirmed the development to Catholic Connect.

Welcoming the decision, the Diocese of Udaipur said the bail order brought relief after the Catholics had remained in custody for more than 100 days following the May 1 incident. The Diocese expressed gratitude to the Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur Bench, describing the decision as a source of hope and consolation for the families who had endured anxiety, uncertainty and distress during the prolonged period of detention.

The Diocese also reiterated that the constitutional rights of every citizen, including the freedom to profess, practise and peacefully propagate one's religion, must be respected and protected in accordance with the law. It said it remained committed to pursuing truth and justice through lawful and constitutional means while continuing to pray for peace, reconciliation and mutual respect among all communities.

The incident took place on May 1 in Kalinjara village under Bandaria Parish in Kushalgarh tehsil, where around 70 Catholics had gathered for a novena prayer and celebration of the Eucharist. According to Fr. Amliyar, a group of Hindu activists entered the venue during the prayer service, levelled allegations of religious conversion and allegedly intimidated those present, leading to a confrontation.

The Catholics were subsequently arrested and booked under various charges, including rioting, attempted murder, breach of peace and illegal religious conversion. Church leaders have consistently denied the conversion allegations, maintaining that the gathering was a regular Catholic prayer service attended by local faithful.

Fr. Amliyar had earlier told Catholic Connect that the worship service was disrupted while prayers were underway and that some of the activists began filming the congregation. The incident drew widespread attention after Church representatives alleged that police refused to register complaints submitted by Catholics regarding the disruption, while criminal cases were filed against members of the worshipping community.

The Catholics faced a prolonged legal battle in their efforts to secure bail. According to Fr. Amliyar, the first bail application was filed before a lower court on May 5 and was dismissed. A second bail plea was subsequently moved before a higher court on May 6.

The matter came up for hearing on May 11, when arguments were heard and the order was reserved until the following day. However, the verdict did not go in favour of the Catholics. Following the rejection, the legal team decided to approach the Rajasthan High Court.

Their efforts suffered another setback on August 5 when a court in Banswara rejected the bail applications despite them having already spent more than three months in judicial custody. The matter was then pursued before the Rajasthan High Court.

Confirming the latest development, Fr. Amliyar said the Rajasthan High Court has now granted bail to all 10 Catholics, bringing relief to their families and the local Christian community after months of legal proceedings.

By Catholic Connect Reporter