Lucknow Police have said they arrested a 43-year-old man accused of running a religious conversion racket for the past two years. The accused, identified as Malkhan, allegedly lured families from the Scheduled Caste community with promises of miracle healing, money and other inducements.
The case came to light after Bajrang Dal member Dharmendra Sharma filed a complaint, claiming that Malkhan was targeting vulnerable families in the village. Following the complaint, police registered an FIR on Saturday and began an investigation.
According to police, Malkhan had built a hall on his farmland where he held weekly “healing prayers” every Thursday and Sunday. During these gatherings, women and children from Scheduled Caste families were allegedly persuaded to convert. Officers also said that Malkhan had changed the names of his own children and nephews after adopting Christianity.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Nipun Agarwal said there had been several complaints earlier about conversion activities in the area. “Based on evidence, our team raided the location, arrested the accused and sealed the hall used for gatherings,” he confirmed.
During the raid, police recovered two copies of the Bible and religious pamphlets from Malkhan’s possession. Investigators are now trying to trace his associates and check the financial sources behind the activities.
A case has been registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
