Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district have arrested three people, including a pastor, for allegedly trying to convert poor and underprivileged Hindus to Christianity by offering inducements. Officials said an investigation has been launched to determine how long the alleged activities had been going on and how many people were involved.
Baradari Station House Officer (SHO) Dhananjay Pandey said the case was registered on October 19 based on a complaint by Rishabh Thakur, a resident of Subhash Nagar, and Nirdosh Rathore from the Nakatia area. The complainants alleged that a group linked to a Christian missionary had rented a house in the Super City area, where they were allegedly pressuring Hindu women and children to convert under the guise of prayer meetings and religious gatherings.
An FIR was filed under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with acts intended to insult religious beliefs, and Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Those named in the FIR include Pastor Sumit Masey, Amit Masey alias Akshay Masey, Sarita, and Satyapal, all residents of Bareilly.
Pastor Sumit Masey, Amit Masey, and Sarita were arrested and sent to jail the next day, while Satyapal is currently absconding. Police said that during questioning, the pastor confessed that they approached people from poor, Dalit, and socially weaker communities, offering them better living conditions and faith healing as incentives to convert.
According to SHO Pandey, the initial probe revealed that the group first tried to influence people emotionally and mentally before introducing them to Christian teachings and scriptures. Police also suspect that several women and children were converted through this method, and further investigation is underway.
