Police in Uttar Pradesh arrested a pastor and his wife on false charges of “forced conversion,” leaving their two young children unattended, according to reports.
Pastor Vinod Pal Singh, 34, and his wife Jyoti Devi were taken into custody on 27 July in UP's Sitapur District along with three other Christians. The couple’s sons, aged four and seven, were left alone inside the church until relatives later took them in.
The group faced accusations of pressuring a young man, identified only as Abhishek, to convert to Christianity. However, Pastor Singh said he had never met the man and called the case “completely fabricated.”
The arrests came after members of the Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad disrupted a Sunday worship service attended by about 80 believers. Witnesses said the intruders vandalised the church, assaulted the pastor and his wife, and handed Bibles and other Christian items to police as supposed evidence of conversion activity. Media were also invited to report the extremists’ version of events.
Police registered a case and detained the believers. While in custody, Jyoti Devi was beaten by female officers during interrogation, leaving her with lasting pain in her legs. Both she and her husband were reportedly forced to endure harsh conditions in jail.
After a lower court denied bail, a district court granted release on 11 August. The three members of the Maurya family were freed on 14 August, while Pastor Singh and his wife were released a week later on 21 August due to delays in securing documents.
Despite the ordeal, Pastor Singh said his faith has not wavered. “Jesus has asked us to be ready for such situations,” he said. “I believe God is allowing this for His glory. A time will come when all the false allegations against us will be dismissed.”
The pastor, who converted from Hinduism in 2011 and has served in ministry since 2016, continues to lead his church in Sitapur. Police, however, have reportedly visited his home several times since his release.
Adapted from Morning Star News.
