Pune: British National Booked over Alleged Religious Conversion Attempt at Guruwar Peth Church, Likely to be First Case Under New Anti-Conversion Law

Pune, 11th August 2026: A British national and religious preacher has been booked by the Khadak police following allegations that an attempt was made to promote religious conversion through sermons at a church in Pune’s Guruwar Peth area.

The case is reportedly among the first cases registered in Pune under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act after the state legislature approved the legislation.

According to information available, the British national has been staying in Pune for the past few days and was conducting sermons and religious programmes at a church in Guruwar Peth. However, some Hindutva organisations alleged that attempts were being made to promote religious conversion through these programmes. Representatives of the organisations subsequently approached the Khadak police and lodged a complaint.

Following the complaint, police registered a case against the British national and launched an investigation. Police are verifying what was specifically discussed during the sermons, whether any attempts were made to induce religious conversion and whether the person was permitted to engage in religious preaching or missionary activities while staying in India.

According to the complainants, the person is a British citizen and was conducting religious programmes, including sermons and devotional singing, at the church. Police are also examining the rules and conditions governing the stay of foreign nationals in India, including provisions related to their participation in religious preaching or such programmes.

The case has attracted attention as it comes after the Maharashtra legislature approved a new law relating to religious conversions. Discussions have since intensified over the implementation of the legislation, and the registration of a case in Pune under the new law is being closely watched.

However, whether the person actually attempted to facilitate religious conversion, what exactly was stated during the sermons and which provisions of the law apply will become clear only after the police investigation. The allegations are currently being investigated, and the Khadak police are conducting further inquiries.