In a major development in Rajasthan’s religious conversion investigation, the Anupgarh court on September 22, sent Paulus Barjo and Aryan to judicial custody in connection with a case of forced conversions to Christianity. The decision came after the conclusion of their five-day police remand, which was further extended by the court to allow ongoing investigations.
The case emerged when Sandeep, a 23-year-old resident of village 24 APD, lodged a police complaint alleging coercion by three individuals, Paulus Barjo, Aryan, and Vinod Kumar, into converting to Christianity.
SHO Ishwar Prasad Jangid stated that the accused were interrogated at the Joint Interrogation Center (JIC) in Sri Ganganagar, while Vinod Kumar remains at large. Authorities assured that Vinod would be apprehended shortly.
According to Sandeep’s complaint, about a month ago, he visited a bike spare parts shop near Anupgarh railway station, where he met Aryan and Vinod Kumar. During the conversation, the two asked if he was married, and upon learning that he was not, they promised to arrange his marriage. Sandeep was then introduced to Paulus Barjo, associated with the Friends Missionary Prayer Band (FMPB).
Sandeep alleged that Barjo convinced him to convert, claiming that “the Lord” would be pleased and he would secure a marriage. Subsequently, the three accused took him to a canal in Prem Nagar, where a baptism-like ritual was performed, converting him to Christianity. Post-conversion, Sandeep claimed he was harassed and pressured to bring more Hindus for conversion.
Police investigations revealed that Barjo, 47, originally from Katinggel village, Jharkhand, was a Hindu before converting to Christianity in 1995. He admitted to converting 454 Hindus over 11 years and disclosed that he joined FMPB in Chennai in 2003, underwent training in Jhansi, and worked in multiple districts across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana before settling in Anupgarh.
Barjo also stated that the FMPB assigned an annual target of 20 conversions, paying him a monthly salary of Rs 9,000, along with allowances covering rent, food, travel, spiritual gatherings, and children’s education. Police seized documents from his possession, including a register listing converted individuals.
Further investigation revealed that Barjo, along with associates Shyamlal and Surjeet, specifically targeted poor, vulnerable, or diseased Hindus to achieve the annual conversion quota.
Reports suggest the FMPB organisation has been planning to build churches in villages 2 PGM and 36 GB, with land already purchased. Vinod Kumar has reportedly donated ₹3.5 lakh for the construction.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for stringent action against Barjo and the network, alleging that missionaries deliberately target Hindus and Sikhs and use derogatory language against Hindu deities. VHP District Minister Krishna Rao urged authorities to ensure that the accused are prosecuted under applicable laws to prevent communal tensions.
The Anupgarh police continue their probe into the conversion network, focusing on Vinod Kumar and potential associates involved in coercive conversions.
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