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Pune police have filed an FIR against a United Kingdom-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) for allegedly trying to convert attendees at religious gatherings — an arrest that highlights growing enforcement under recently passed state and national laws. Authorities say the case, which invokes immigration and new religion-related statutes, underscores fresh legal risks for foreign nationals and groups involved in religious activity.
DCP Prashant Amrutkar of Pune City’s Special Branch confirmed the case and said the accused, a resident of Manchester holding an OCI card, is booked under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. Police allege the person moved beyond participating in worship to actively urging people to embrace Christianity and made comments about Hindu temples and deities that could mislead listeners.
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Under Indian rules, OCI holders may attend religious events, but law enforcement stresses they are not permitted to proselytise or deliver religious speeches without specific permission. Investigators say the remarks were intended to influence others’ faith choices; inquiries are continuing.
Separate arrest involves a minor
In a related but distinct matter, Pune City Police arrested a 21-year-old on charges that include the new state religion law and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Officials say he was accused of trying to convert and sexually harassing a minor; that case was registered at Fursungi police station on August 5 and remains under probe.
Police have described the Fursungi case as the first registered in Maharashtra under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, reflecting how the new statute is already being applied in local investigations.
Why this matters now
These developments arrive amid an intensified national conversation on religious conversion, foreign funding for civil-society groups and tighter oversight through recent legislation. Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has defended amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) framework, saying compliant organisations need not worry and rejecting claims the rules target any single community.
- For OCI holders: Attendance at services remains permitted, but public proselytising could trigger criminal or immigration-related charges.
- For NGOs and faith groups: increased scrutiny on foreign ties and fundraising means stricter compliance with the FCRA and reporting obligations.
- For communities: high-profile cases can raise tensions and prompt calls for clearer guidance on permitted religious activity.
- For readers: expect more investigations as authorities interpret and enforce the new laws.
Authorities say both investigations are active. Police statements so far provide the legal framing and their allegations; no court verdicts have been recorded. The cases will be closely watched for how courts and investigators balance religious freedom, immigration status and child-protection concerns under newly enacted rules.
