Pune, 11 August: Pune Police have filed an FIR against a United Kingdom-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder for allegedly seeking to induce people to embrace Christianity during a religious gathering at a Marathi church in Guruwar Peth, a police official said on Monday.
Police say address used Hindu religious terms, made claims about healing
The case, registered at Khadak police station, invokes provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, the official said. Investigators said the accused — a resident of Manchester who holds an OCI card — attended a religious programme and addressed devotees.
According to the preliminary probe cited by police, the accused used terms associated with Hindu religious practice, including "kirtan", "Sant" and "Mauli", while speaking at the gathering. Police alleged he spoke of following the path of devotion to Jesus and made remarks that created misconceptions regarding Hindu temples and deities.
Investigating officers said the accused also made claims that illnesses could be cured and rainfall could be induced by invoking the name of Jesus. Police view those statements as intended to attract Hindus and people of other faiths towards Christianity.
OCI rights, limits and legal basis of FIR
A Khadak police station official clarified that OCI cardholders are permitted to attend prayer meetings and take part in religious functions, but are not allowed to preach, conduct kirtans or deliver religious discourses without obtaining requisite permission. "We have booked the person and further probe is on," the officer said.
This FIR follows the first case Pune Police registered under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act on 5 August, involving a 22-year-old man accused of asking a minor in a relationship to convert from her religion. The state law was notified on 31 July and came into force on 1 August.
- Location: Marathi church, Guruwar Peth, Pune
- Accused: UK-based OCI cardholder (resident of Manchester)
- Sections invoked: Provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026
- Status: FIR registered at Khadak police station; probe ongoing
“We have booked the person and further probe is on,”
What the FIR means for local worship and foreign visitors
The registration of this case marks one of the early applications of the state’s new law within Pune city limits and underscores how police intend to apply its restrictions to religious activity, including where foreign nationals or OCI holders are involved. The Khadak police official’s remarks point to a distinction between passive participation in religious events and active preaching or discourse, an important practical boundary for organisers of local prayer meetings and faith-based gatherings.
Legal experts and community leaders have previously noted that the 2026 Act broadens the state’s powers to act against conversions alleged to involve coercion, allurement, fraud or misrepresentation; the Pune FIRs will test how those provisions operate on the ground, especially in cross‑cultural or interfaith settings such as Guruwar Peth where Marathi-language congregations are common.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Police station | Khadak police station, Pune |
| Legal provisions cited | Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025; Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 |
| Allegations | Inducing conversion by addressing devotees, making claims about healing and rainfall via invocation of Jesus |
| Investigative status | FIR registered; probe ongoing |
Pune residents who organise or attend religious events should note the police caution on preaching by OCI holders and others: while attendance remains permitted, delivering religious discourses without statutory permissions may invite scrutiny. The current FIRs also indicate that claims promising cure or other tangible outcomes linked to religious invocation can draw police attention if they are alleged to be part of inducement.
The Khadak station probe will determine whether the statements and means attributed to the accused fall within the specific prohibitions of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. Police said further details, including any charges under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, will emerge as the inquiry proceeds.
