‘Religion therapeutic’ congregation in MP village lands two pastors in jail; police probe wider ‘conversion community’

Spread the love

‘Religion therapeutic’ congregation in MP village lands two pastors in jail; police probe wider ‘conversion community’ | India Information

2 min learnBhopalApr 12, 2026 06:33 AM IST

Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna district have registered a case in opposition to two pastors and their associates for allegedly operating a spiritual conversion racket underneath the guise of “religion therapeutic” in Mohanpur Khurd village.

In keeping with the Myana police, an FIR has been lodged in opposition to Pastors Uttam Barela and Vikas Barela following a preliminary inquiry. The case gained traction after a complainant, recognized as Brijesh Bairagi from Karod village, approached the police after witnessing the occasion earlier this month.

“We arrested Barela within the case. The complainant is a member of a right-wing group in Guna. We’re investigating the case,” a senior police officer informed The Indian Categorical.

In his criticism, Bairagi said that on April 5, whereas passing via Mohanpur Khurd, he got here throughout a big gathering in a tent the place a “therapeutic congregation” was underway. He alleged that “the pastors had been putting their fingers on folks’s heads, performing rituals, and claiming that severe sicknesses—together with most cancers might be cured via religion within the Christian faith,” the officer stated.

Police stated the criticism additional alleged that tribal villagers had been being lured with guarantees of medical remedy and monetary help. Attendees had been allegedly warned that refusal to transform would outcome of their sicknesses remaining incurable and everlasting struggling. The accused allegedly assured villagers that conversion wouldn’t require them to alter their names or caste standing, permitting them to proceed availing authorities advantages.

“The FIR additionally mentions that giant portions of meat and rooster had been served on the gathering, which, in line with the complainant, was used as an inducement to affect attendees,” the officer stated.

Investigators stated purported movies of the occasion that surfaced on-line, together with supplies seized from the location, have been included as a part of the proof. They added that the probe is analyzing whether or not a broader community is concerned in organising such occasions in rural areas.

Story continues under this advert

“The accused are being traced and additional motion is underway primarily based on accessible proof,” the police officer stated, including that strict motion can be taken in opposition to these discovered selling superstition or finishing up conversions via inducement or coercion.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Categorical, at present main the bureau’s protection of Madhya Pradesh. With a profession spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice on the intersection of regulation, inside safety, and public coverage.

Based mostly in Bhopal, Anand is widely known for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he offered unique, ground-level protection of the historic give up of the ultimate Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the “vacuum of command” that led to the state being declared Maoist-free.

Experience and Reporting Beats
Anand’s investigative work is characterised by a “Journalism of Braveness” method, holding establishments accountable via deep-dive evaluation of a number of key sectors:

Nationwide Safety & Counter-Insurgency: He’s a major chronicler of the decline of Naxalism within the Central Indian hall, documenting the tactical shifts of safety forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres.

Judiciary & Authorized Accountability: Drawing on over 4 years of expertise protecting Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh Excessive Courtroom, Anand deconstructs advanced authorized rulings. He has uncovered essential institutional lapses, together with custodial security violations and the misuse of the Nationwide Safety Act (NSA).

Wildlife Conservation (Undertaking Cheetah): Anand is a number one reporter on Undertaking Cheetah at Kuno Nationwide Park. He has offered intensive protection of the organic and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, in addition to high-profile circumstances of wildlife trafficking.

Public Well being & Social Security: His current investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public companies, equivalent to contaminated blood transfusions inflicting HIV infections in thalassemia sufferers and the human value of the fertilizer disaster affecting rural farmers.

Skilled Background
Tenure: Joined The Indian Categorical in 2017.

Places: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi Metropolis beat (protecting courts, police, and labor points) to his present function as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh.

Notable Investigations: * Uncovered the “digital arrest” scams concentrating on entrepreneurs.

Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impression of kodo millet fungus on native wildlife.

Documented the transition of energy and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance.

Digital & Skilled Presence
Creator Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Categorical

Twitter deal with: @mohanreports … Learn Extra