Christian couple sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for converting Hindus

First conviction under Anti-Conversion Law in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – A Christian couple found guilty of converting Hindus was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment each by Judge Ramvilas Singh of the Special Scheduled Castes and Tribes Court in Ambedkar Nagar District. Additionally, both were fined Rs 25,000 each. This marks the first conviction under the Anti-Conversion Law.

Christian couple sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment for converting Hindus.

First conviction under the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh!

A 5-year sentence is too lenient. Such individuals should be imprisoned for life to instill fear in others attempting such acts!… pic.twitter.com/1QuOC02FBE

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 25, 2025

On 23^rd January 2023, BJP leader Chandrika Prasad, a resident of Jamauli in Jalalpur, filed a complaint against Jose Papachan and his wife Shija A.M.N., residents of Pipariya Bank Colony in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh. According to Prasad, Jose and Shija had been active for three months in Shahpur Firoz village’s Dalit locality, approaching poor families and deceiving them. On 25^th December 2022, they allegedly tried to gather a large crowd in the Dalit community to initiate conversions.

Based on Prasad’s complaint, Police arrested the couple and seized Christian religious literature from them.

Editorial Perspective

A 5-year sentence is too lenient. Such offenders should be imprisoned for life to deter others from committing similar acts.