In a major crackdown, the Nigohan police in Lucknow have arrested a man accused of converting over 50 individuals in Baktauri Kheda village by allegedly offering promises of miraculous healing and financial aid.
The accused, identified as Malkhan, who now goes by the name Matthew, reportedly targeted uneducated families from the Scheduled Caste community. Authorities allege that he persuaded them to convert to Christianity under the pretence of spiritual and material benefits.
“Healing” gatherings central to alleged conversions
Police investigations revealed that Malkhan converted to Christianity in 2016 and began organising prayer meetings every two weeks on his farmland. These gatherings were held in a room specially constructed for the purpose.
During the sessions, he claimed to heal chronic ailments such as epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis through prayers, sprinkling holy water, reading from the Bible, and screening videos via a projector. The police are continuing their investigation and have not ruled out the involvement of others in the alleged conversion racket.
According to police, Malkhan lured women, children, and men to his prayer sessions by promising financial assistance and relief from chronic ailments. Investigators believe that during these gatherings, he attempted to influence attendees by speaking against Hindu deities and eventually baptising them into Christianity.
Authorities further revealed that Malkhan changed the names of several family members after his own conversion and actively involved them in spreading his religious activities. So far, approximately 50 people from nearby villages are believed to have been converted through his efforts.
On September 27, Malkhan was arrested by a police team led by ACP Mohanlalganj Rajneesh Verma from Hulas Khera Road in Lucknow. His arrest followed several weeks of surveillance based on reports of alleged illegal religious conversions. During the operation, officers seized two Bibles along with other religious materials reportedly used during the gatherings. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Nipun Agarwal, confirmed the arrest and announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for the police team involved in the investigation and arrest.
Authorities are currently probing the source of funds used by Malkhan. According to ACP Rajneesh Verma, after the conversions, Malkhan provided financial assistance to the people he converted, but it remains unclear who was financially supporting him. Police are examining the bank accounts of Malkhan and his relatives to trace the flow of funds.
A First Information Report was registered at the Nigohan police station in Lucknow on September 27, following a complaint filed by Dharma Sharma, a local Bajrang Dal district security chief.
The FIR states that Malkhan, along with several associates, was gathering large groups of people on Sundays and Thursdays, enticing them with false promises of miracles and financial aid, and conducting mass religious conversions.
The complaint was lodged under Section 173(B) of the Bombay Police Act (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Sub-Inspector Anuj Kumar Tiwari has been assigned to lead the investigation. The police have confirmed that Malkhan has been arrested in connection with the case. Members of the local Hindu community had earlier held protests in the area demanding stringent action against alleged illegal conversions.
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