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Pune courts have granted temporary relief to a UK national accused of trying to convert participants at a religious event, imposing strict limits while the main bail plea remains pending. The interim order, which includes travel restrictions and regular police check-ins, highlights how Indian authorities are treating foreign nationals implicated in alleged religious conversion cases.
Additional Sessions Judge A.S. Gandhi on Wednesday allowed ad‑interim anticipatory bail to Pankaj James Devnoor, a British citizen named in an FIR lodged at Khadak police station. The court said Devnoor must furnish a personal recognisance and a surety bond of ₹1 lakh if he is taken into custody.
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Court conditions and next steps
The bench has summoned responses from the investigating officer and the state; the main anticipatory bail application will be heard next on August 25. Meanwhile, the judge set a series of restrictions intended to preserve the investigation and prevent interference with witnesses.
- Bond requirement: Personal recognisance plus a ₹1 lakh surety bond on arrest.
- Regular reporting: Appear at the local police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Travel ban: Not permitted to leave India without prior court approval.
- Non‑interference: Prohibited from persuading or threatening anyone connected to the case to prevent them from speaking to police or the court.
- Activity restriction: Barred from participating in any religious or cultural programmes for the duration of the interim order.
The court also instructed Devnoor to comply with any written summons from the investigating officer until the full bail application is decided.
Allegations and how they arose
Police registered the FIR on August 9 after an autorickshaw driver, Amit Bhosale, filed a complaint. According to the complaint, Bhosale saw a social media post advertising a programme in Guruwar Peth held on August 7. The FIR alleges Devnoor used Hindu devotional terminology and instruments—reported as kirtan, sant, mauli, taal, veena and tabla—while preaching Christianity to a crowd of roughly 80–100 people, with an alleged intent to convert Hindus.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have invoked provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (Section 23(B)) and several sections of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, including 3(1)(a)(iii), (v) and (viii), as well as 9(1) and 11(1)(2).
Defence account
In his bail affidavit, Devnoor rejected the charges and said the event was open to the public. He told the court the complainant attended voluntarily after seeing the social media post and that there was no allegation of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation against him.
With the main application still pending, the case will return to court later this month. For now, the interim order keeps the accused in India under supervision while investigators continue to collect evidence and statements.
