In yet another case exposing systematic and covert religious conversion operations in Uttar Pradesh, a disturbing incident has surfaced from the Raebareli district, where alleged Christian missionaries, posing as Hindus, were found conducting conversion activities disguised as prayer meetings. The incident triggered a massive protest by local Hindu activists after videos of the confrontation between the activists and the accused went viral on social media.
The police, responding swiftly to public outcry and complaints, detained two individuals, Rajesh Kumar Verma and Soni Verma, both of whom were using Hindu names but are suspected to be crypto-converts engaged in mass conversion of Hindus. The duo was arrested under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, specifically under Sections 3 and 5(1).
Missionary Conversion in Raebareli:
Rajesh Kumar Verma and his wife, Soni Verma, used to hold regular prayer meetings at their house in the Balapur area. Under the guise of prayer, they promoted Christianity among Hindus, luring them to convert.
However, after repeated… pic.twitter.com/wdSCD5Fj4O
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) July 2, 2025
FIR and Eyewitness Details
The First Information Report (FIR No. 271/2025) was lodged on June 30 at Mil Thana police station by Anurag Singh, son of Vijay Singh, a resident of Shivajinagar. Singh, in his written complaint, provided a detailed account of suspicious religious activities and a horrific domestic incident linked to the case.
According to Anurag Singh’s complaint, he received information on June 29 regarding a murder that occurred in the locality. One Radhika Soni, aged 55, was allegedly strangled to death with a dupatta by her husband, Rajesh Sharma, in full view of local residents. The altercation reportedly took place during or shortly after a prayer meeting, raising questions about the background activities of the family involved.
Eyewitnesses in the neighbourhood intervened, tied up Rajesh Verma, and handed him over to the police. On June 30, police officials interrogated him and his daughter Soni Sharma in connection with the murder and related conversion activities. The investigation eventually confirmed the duo’s involvement in religious conversion efforts being carried out under the guise of Christian missionary gatherings.
Police Statement and Legal Action
Speaking on the case, Sadar Area Officer Amit Singh confirmed that police had received information about illegal religious conversions being conducted during a prayer session in Balapur, under Mil Thana jurisdiction. The police reached the location promptly and, based on complaints and on-ground evidence, registered a formal case against the accused.
Rajesh Kumar Verma, son of Shivalal, and Soni Verma, his wife, both residents of Shivaji Nagar, were arrested on the spot. The FIR notes that both were active participants in grooming local Hindus and allegedly targeting vulnerable families by using prayer meetings as a cover for conversion.
Not the First Incident
This case marks yet another incident in a series of religious conversion attempts in Raebareli, revealing a pattern that points toward organised operations by Christian missionary-linked individuals.
February 2025 Mil Thana Area
A similar conversion racket was busted where two individuals were arrested for running a covert missionary centre. A prayer house had been set up in the Sandi Nagin area where 50-60 children were brought daily and allegedly indoctrinated against Sanatan Dharma. The children were taught that Christianity is superior and were segregated into rooms where missionary teachings were imparted.
Following a tip-off by local Hindu groups, a police team raided the premises and detained Sandhya and Vijay Singh. Investigations confirmed that the prayer centre was functioning without any registration or oversight and that religious materials were being distributed to the children.
January 2025 – Harchandpur Thana, Ajmat Ullah Ganj Village
Another incident came to light when Nanhu Singh, a local resident, filed a formal complaint alleging that he had been approached by unknown individuals over a year ago who offered him money in exchange for converting to Christianity. Nanhu revealed that he initially fell prey to the inducements but soon found himself being pressured to bring more people into the fold, with the assurance that more conversions would earn him more money.
Over time, Singh claimed he became mentally distressed due to the repeated threats and moral guilt. His complaint led to an investigation that revealed multiple individuals from nearby villages had been similarly approached with conversion offers.
Crypto-Conversion Strategy: A Growing Concern
This latest case in Raebareli adds to growing concerns around “crypto-conversion” a phenomenon where individuals who have converted to another religion continue to maintain Hindu names and appearances to secretly propagate conversion within Hindu communities. The police noted that the accused in the current case, Rajesh and Soni, used Hindu names and participated in local community life without revealing their religious affiliation.
Such individuals often operate in semi-urban and rural areas, targeting the socially or economically weaker sections with promises of education, healthcare, financial assistance, or social mobility, only to later coerce or lure them into abandoning their faith.
Role of Hindu Activist Groups
The case came to public attention after Hindu activists reached the scene, confronted the accused family, and live-streamed the entire exchange on social media. The videos, which went viral, show the activists questioning the couple’s identity, their motives behind organising prayer meetings, and pressuring vulnerable Hindus to convert.
These videos stirred public outrage and prompted immediate police intervention, as well as a demand for a thorough investigation from various civil society groups and religious leaders.
Administrative and Police Response
The Raebareli Police have reiterated their commitment to investigate all conversion-related complaints thoroughly. “We are treating such cases with utmost seriousness, especially when they involve vulnerable sections being manipulated in the name of religion,” said a senior police officer.
Local intelligence networks have also been activated to identify similar unauthorised missionary operations across the district. Police have increased surveillance in areas where previous complaints of religious conversion have emerged, including Harchandpur, Mil Thana, and Sandi Nagin.
Rising Trend in Religious Conversions
The spate of incidents in Raebareli reflects a broader national trend where missionary-linked organisations have allegedly increased their covert activities under the pretext of social services, prayer meetings, or educational outreach. Many states, including Uttar Pradesh, have enacted Freedom of Religion laws to curb forced or fraudulent conversions.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act criminalises conversion through force, fraud, inducement, or allurement, and requires pre-approval from the district administration for voluntary conversions.
What Lies Ahead?
While arrests have been made, legal proceedings will now follow under relevant sections of the Freedom of Religion Act. The police are expected to submit a detailed charge sheet after completing the interrogation of the accused and verifying the background of the alleged missionary connections.
