Kerala police issue lookout notice against US pastor

The Kerala police have issued lookout notices against a US evangelist who allegedly violated visa regulations.

A case was registered against Pastor William Lee for violating visa norms by conducting a musical convention at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi.

Lee had come to India on a tourist visa and does not have a permit to make religious preaching, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sunil Jacob, said.

Lee had reportedly conducted a programme 'Musical Splash', organised by Faith Leaders Church of God, a Christian congregation.

Media reported that Lee had arrived in Kochi on October 5 with a multiple-entry visa valid up to March 20, 2012.

The police had earlier stopped the preacher from speaking at a meeting after an alert issued by the Central Intelligence Bureau.

On Thursday, Lee was however found missing from his hotel room. The police subsequently issued lookout notices across all airports.

An FIR has been filed against Pastor Lee at the Palarivattom police station.

The pastor apparently was joined by two other US citizens, including popular worship leader Ron Kenoly.

No case was however registered against Lee's companions.

While Lee has not made any inflammatory speech, police said the pastor was arrested for engaging in religious preaching. The case was registered under section 32 (c) of the Registration of Foreigners Act.

Condemning the incident, an advocacy group meanwhile has challenged the police to arrest "tourists thronging in the new age abodes for religious functions".

Only attending Christian musical functions are treated as violation of visa norms, said Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), adding all non-Christian tourists are escorted by police.

In July this year, three American tourists were asked to leave India following complaints from Hindu organisations that they were attempting to convert locals to Christianity.

Although no evidence was found indicating that the three US women were engaged in conversion activities, police forced the tourists to leave the country.