Lucknow Police recently arrested one Malkhan alias Mathew, a crypto-convert accused of converting over 1000 Hindus to Christianity through “healing assemblies” (Changai Sabhas). The racket, which operated for nearly a decade, lured Scheduled Caste families, women, and children with promises of miraculous cures, food, and financial assistance.
Healing assemblies and brainwashing
According to FIR Number 186/2025 accessed by Organiser, was lodged on September 28 at Nigoha Police Station by local activist Dharmendra Sharma, Malkhan, who had himself converted to Christianity ten years ago, built a hall on his farmland in Bakhtaurikheda Mehndauli village to conduct regular Changai Sabhas. These assemblies were held twice a week, typically on Sundays and Thursdays, where he sprinkled so-called Pavitra Jal (holy water), read passages from the Bible, and projected videos of churches and missionary sermons.
The FIR states: “Malkhan promised to cure ailments such as arthritis, epilepsy, respiratory issues, and other serious diseases. He spoke against Hindu deities and urged attendees to embrace Christianity. Several Dalit women stopped applying sindoor and bindi after being influenced. His children and relatives’ names were also changed after conversion.”
Police sources told Organiser that villagers had long suspected foul play. Whenever locals attempted to peek inside the prayer hall, Malkhan would suddenly switch to speaking in Sanskrit to mask the Christian prayers and mislead outsiders.
Funding and foreign links under probe
Police said Malkhan spent Rs 5,000-6,000 per day on food and arrangements for the attendees. Investigators are now probing his financial network, with suspicion of foreign funding. Two separate bank accounts belonging to him are under scrutiny.
ACP Mohanlalganj Rajneesh Verma, under the supervision of DCP South Nipun Agarwal, led the operation that culminated in his arrest on September 28 along Hulas Kheda Road. The police recovered Bibles, baptism materials, and other propaganda literature. The team was awarded Rs 25,000 for the successful arrest.
Baptisms and mass conversions
The police press note confirmed that Malkhan was not only conducting assemblies but also baptising Scheduled Caste individuals, including children. Over the years, nearly 1000 Hindus were allegedly converted under his influence.
A photo accessed by investigators shows women singing Christian prayers inside the makeshift church. Police are also verifying ownership of the farmland where the hall was built, as villagers have demanded a survey of the land and disclosure of its legal title.
Local Hindu organisations had staged protests earlier, alleging forced and fraudulent conversions in the area. The FIR now corroborates those claims, pointing to an organised network rather than an isolated case. Police are tracing his associates who allegedly supported him in the racket.
Mathew alias Malkhan has been booked under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. He has been sent to jail while investigations into his funding and associates continue.
