Christian pair of prison for conversion against deposit released

A Christian couple in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh India, who was convicted of five years in prison for alleged conversion, was released for the deposit. Christians claim that the evidence submitted in court did not justify the indictment due to conversion, but their acquittal is expected to take a long time.

The Lucknow Bank of the Supreme Court of Allahabad granted them a deposit last month, and she left the prison weeks later, reported Christian Solidarity group based in Great Britain worldwide.

The authorities condemned Jose and Sheeeja Pappachan on January 22nd after Uttar Pradesh's “Anti-Conversion” setting, the prohibition of the illegal conversion of the religious law and the imposed fines of 25,000 rupees (approximately $ 300).

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During the trial, the officials claimed that the couple orchestrated great incentives for the conversion of Dalit residents with a low caste, especially during an event on Christmas Day in 2022. The police were based on eyewitness accounts and a complaint submitted by a legislator of the Bharatiya Janata. The public prosecutor also referred to parts of the planned box and planned tribes (prevention of the atrocities).

Jose and Sheeeja said that the defense declarations submitted in court said that they only promoted education, organized communal courts and distributed Bibles without forcing someone to change their beliefs. They also contested participants with financial advantages. The couple claimed that the participants only asked the participants to avoid alcohol and to raise children.

“While CSW is happy that Jose and Sheeeja Pappachan granted a deposit so soon after his conviction, the couple must continue to fight for their acquittal,” said CSW President Mervyn Thomas. “In many cases, this process can take years due to the poorly defined nature of these laws and often extend the suffering of those who have been incorrectly accused,” he said.

CSW urged the authorities in Uttar Pradesh to “take quick measures in order to process the cases of all those who are currently charged with forced conversion and ultimately recognize them in recognition of the unconstitutionality of the anti-conversion law.”

Despite the protection of the constitution of religious freedom, 12 Indian states have issued anti-conversion statutes that officially aim to prevent forced conversions. However, these laws define in large and entire forbidden activities and provide almost all forms of public relations or evangelization under legal examination.

At the moment, at least 80 Christians remain in prison in Uttar Pradesh alone.

The couple represents one of the first reported cases in which individuals were condemned and locked up for this legislation for alleged compulsory conversion.

AC Michael, a national coordinator of the United Christian Forum group based in Delhi, has monitored several cases in which Christians were involved that are accused of violently converting others. He said to Uca News beforehand: “The condemnation of a suspected attempt to change will not bear the examination of a higher court.”

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Conversion Act, which was changed in 2024, allows third parties to participate in alleged conversion matters, while earlier provisions limited the symptoms to alleged victims or their immediate relatives.

The UCF documented over 800 incidents of threats or attacks against Christians across India last year.

Christians are about 2.3% of the Indian population, while Hindus make up around 80%.