5 govt employees arrested for luring tribals into religious conversion:Offered ₹25,000 daughters’ marriage expenses; over 50 converted in Shivpuri

Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district have arrested five people, including four government employees, for allegedly carrying out organised religious conversions. The accused are charged with targeting tribal families by offering cash, marriage arrangements, jobs and education benefits in return for conversion. More than 50 conversions have been confirmed so far, and the accused have been sent to jail. Five arrested, four are government staff Shivpuri police arrested five accused in a religious conversion case under Badarwas police station limits. Among them are three government school teachers and one Patwari (revenue officer). The fifth accused is a pastor. Police said the accused misused their official positions and social influence to carry out conversions. Targeting tribal families Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district have arrested five people, including four government employees, for allegedly carrying out organised religious conversions. The accused are charged with targeting tribal families by offering cash, marriage arrangements, jobs and education benefits in return for conversion. More than 50 conversions have been confirmed so far, and the accused have been sent to jail. Five arrested, four are government staff Shivpuri police arrested five accused in a religious conversion case under Badarwas police station limits. Among them are three government school teachers and one Patwari (revenue officer). The fifth accused is a pastor. Police said the accused misused their official positions and social influence to carry out conversions. Targeting tribal families The case relates to Ghughla village and nearby areas. People from the Scheduled Tribe community were allegedly targeted for a long time. Police have confirmed the conversion of more than 50 people so far. According to police, the accused offered strong inducements to people. These included promises to arrange marriages for daughters, provide jobs, ensure better education for children, and give Rs 25,000 in cash for conversion. Police said many people changed their religion due to these offers. Organised network beyond the state Preliminary investigation shows the conversions were carried out in an organised manner. The network allegedly extended outside Madhya Pradesh. Police are now probing the funding sources and other people linked to the group. Religious meetings held in homes Investigators found that regular meetings were held at the homes of Bahadur Bhil and Somla Bhil. During these meetings, people were allegedly pressured by explaining the “benefits” of conversion. Police said the number of converted people may rise as the investigation continues. Links found with Chhattisgarh Police have found links of the accused with Jashpur, Surguja and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh. Search operations are under way to trace the full network. Earlier, the administration had demolished an illegal church built on forest land in Gudhaldang village of the Badarwas area. This had already raised suspicion about conversion activities in the region. Case registered, accused sent to jail SDOP Sanjay Mishra said a case has been registered under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. All accused were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody. Police recovered religious books and documents from the accused during the operation. According to police, the accused offered strong inducements to people. These included promises to arrange marriages for daughters, provide jobs, ensure better education for children, and give Rs 25,000 in cash for conversion. Police said many people changed their religion due to these offers. Organised network beyond the state Preliminary investigation shows the conversions were carried out in an organised manner. The network allegedly extended outside Madhya Pradesh. Police are now probing the funding sources and other people linked to the group. Religious meetings held in homes Investigators found that regular meetings were held at the homes of Bahadur Bhil and Somla Bhil.During these meetings, people were allegedly pressured by explaining the “benefits” of conversion.Police said the number of converted people may rise as the investigation continues. Links found with Chhattisgarh Police have found links of the accused with Jashpur, Surguja and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh. Search operations are under way to trace the full network. Earlier, the administration had demolished an illegal church built on forest land in Gudhaldang village of the Badarwas area. This had already raised suspicion about conversion activities in the region. Case registered, accused sent to jail SDOP Sanjay Mishra said a case has been registered under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.All accused were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody. Police recovered religious books and documents from the accused during the operation.