The Uttar Pradesh Police has taken strict action against an alleged conversion scam, booking 42 individuals and apprehending nine of them in Sonbhadra district.
The arrests were made on charges of luring poor and tribal communities to convert to Christianity through deceptive means, reportedly.
The arrested individuals were found in possession of a substantial quantity of religious books, propaganda materials, and laptops, hinting at an organized effort to promote the alleged fraudulent conversions.
The case unfolded when Narsingh, a resident of Malhiya Tola in the Chopan police station area of the district, filed a complaint detailing the deceptive tactics employed to induce tribal and economically disadvantaged individuals into converting to Christianity.
Acting promptly on the complaint, Additional Superintendent of Police Kalu Singh confirmed the registration of an FIR against all 42 accused under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act on Thursday. Subsequently, nine suspects were taken into custody.
Among the arrested individuals were Jaiprabhu from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Ajay Kumar from Robertsganj in Uttar Pradesh, and Chekka Emmanuel from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The remaining detainees were identified as Rajendra Kol, Chhotu alias Ranjan, Parmanand, Sohan, Prem Nath Prajapati, and Ram Pratap.
The arrests signify a robust response from the authorities to curb alleged fraudulent conversion activities, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining religious harmony and preventing unlawful conversion practices. Investigations are expected to shed further light on the extent of the alleged scam and the involvement of the remaining accused.
