MP: Pastor among seven held for pressuring tribal man to change religion

Indore, Jan 25 (PTI) Seven persons, including the pastor of a church, have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district for allegedly pressurising a tribal to convert his religion, police said on Wednesday.

Man Singh Bilwal (30), an farm labourer from Hatunia village, alleged that Ray Singh, pastor of a church in Jhabua district, and six others hurt his religious beliefs and forced him to embrace Christianity, said Girijashankar Mahobia, in-charge of the Kshipra police station.

Based on the complaint filed by Bilwal, who belongs to the Bhil community, a case was registered against these people under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class) and the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act on Tuesday, he said.

All seven accused have been arrested and detailed investigation into the case is on, Mahobia said. PTI HWP ADU NP NP