Maharashtra: Police booked UK-based man from Pune under new Anti-Conversion Law, was preaching Christianity in gatherings

 

Pune city police have initiated action against a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder under Maharashtra’s newly enforced anti-conversion law, marking one of the earliest cases registered after the legislation came into force.

 

The case was filed by Khadak police in connection with a religious event held at a Marathi church in Guruwar Peth. Officials identified the accused as a resident of Manchester and said he has been booked under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.

 

According to police, the man participated in a prayer gathering and addressed attendees without obtaining the permissions required for religious preaching by an OCI cardholder. Investigators are examining whether his participation exceeded the scope permitted under OCI regulations.

 

The police said, “However, they cannot preach, conduct kirtans or deliver religious discourses without obtaining the requisite permission.”

 

They further added, “The accused spoke about following the path of devotion to Jesus and made statements that created misconceptions about Hindu temples and deities, with the purported intention of misleading people and inducing them to embrace Christianity,” police said.

 

During the programme, the accused referred to concepts and expressions commonly associated with Hindu devotional traditions while speaking about devotion to Jesus. Police claim that certain remarks made during the address were intended to influence attendees and encourage them towards Christianity.

 

He used terms associated with Hindu religious traditions, including kirtan, Sant and Mauli, while speaking to the assembled devotees.

 

Investigators have also said that claims relating to healing and divine intervention were made during the gathering. Officials said these allegations are being verified as part of the ongoing inquiry and no final conclusion has yet been reached.

 

 

 

Senior officers said OCI cardholders are generally allowed to attend religious meetings and prayer events in India, but preaching, conducting devotional discourses or delivering religious sermons requires prior authorisation. The investigation will determine whether those conditions were violated in this instance.

 

The FIR comes less than two weeks after the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 was notified by the state government following Presidential assent. The law prohibits religious conversion through force, fraud, coercion, allurement, misrepresentation, threat or undue influence and introduces procedural requirements for religious conversion.

 

The legislation has become a major political issue in Maharashtra. The ruling Mahayuti alliance supported the Bill during its passage in the Legislature, while the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Samajwadi Party opposed it. Shiv Sena (UBT) backed the measure.

 

Police officials said statements of organisers and participants are being recorded and further investigation is underway.