Lucknow: Ambedkarnagar police on Tuesday arrested a pastor on charges of allegedly attempting illegal religious conversion during a prayer session at Billiards church in the Akbarpur area of the district.The incident came to light on Sunday when over 200 men and women gathered at the church for what was claimed to be a “healing prayer” session. Police said the pastor, Pramod Kumar, was allegedly urging attendees to abandon their faith in Sanatan deities and embrace Christianity. Some members of the VHP reported this to the police. A team from Kotwali police station arrived at the church.Initially, police denied allegations of religious conversion, stating that the gathering was only a prayer meeting conducted without prior permission. However, after the matter gained media attention, sub-inspector Ashraf Khan filed an FIR on Monday, leading to the pastor’s arrest the next day.Kotwali in-charge Srinivas Pandey said that the accused was produced in court and later sent to jail.In a related complaint, Karamjeet Singh, a resident of Paikolia in Tanda, alleged that he was approached by Pramod, who claimed to be trained in Lucknow and Kerala to carry out conversions. Singh said Pramod promised Rs 20,000 upfront, free education and medical treatment for his children, a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000, and an additional Rs 2,000 per new convert. Singh, who belongs to the SC community, said he refused the offer, after which Pramod allegedly assaulted him and hurled caste-based slurs. Singh’s statement led to the addition of relevant sections under the SC/ST (Prevention of atrocities) Act. Police officials have said that investigations are underway.
