BAREILLY: Five people, including two Dalit men, were booked under appropriate sections of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance for allegedly “pursuing" a man for converting to Christianity in UP’s Shahjahanpur.
An FIR was lodged after right-wing activists claimed to have caught them with a musical keyboard, a portable sound system and a Bible when they were reciting prayers at the house of one of the accused in Kanshiram Colony in Shahjahanpur city.
The man who was "asked" to adopt Christianity alleged that he was among nearly 15 people who were "lured with a job and a house" for changing their religion. Two accused named in the FIR hail from Tamil Nadu, but they have been living in Shahjahanpur, at present, said police.
The accused claimed that they were only propagating the Bible’s message, but police "overlooked their statements".
Shahjahanpur senior superintendent of police S Anand has, meanwhile, ordered a probe into the matter. “An FIR has been registered under the new law. We have not arrested the accused, as they don’t appear to have the capacity to fulfil the promise of a job and house as mentioned in the complaint. Based on the investigation report, we will take further action. Meanwhile, police are keeping a tab on the accused.”