RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh police has intensified its probe into a case linked to alleged conversion related activities being operated from a Ashram/Impermanent Church in Dharampur village of Rajnandgaon district.
The police are conducting a thorough investigation into allegations of religious conversion and minors sheltering at the said premise which sparked a major row earlier this month, with villagers along with the Hindu activists staging a protest against the suspicious activities at the centre.
As per the details, the police are questioning individuals about the training modules which were being run and the topics covered in the training program along with the funding received which according to the probe done appears suspicious.
The investigation done in the case also involves examining of a network and multiple people affiliated with various organisations reportedly involved.
“In the Dharmapur case, which came to light at a school, the Rajnandgaon police are conducting a very thorough investigation. They are also questioning people about the training modules that were discovered. Some training sessions took place last year. They are investigating the participation in these sessions, the topics covered, and the funding received. Many of the funds appear suspicious, and they are questioning people about these bank accounts. There is also the matter of a network operating in this case, as alleged,” said Rajnandgaon SP Ankita Sharma.
The official further hinted that several people from separate affiliated organisations were involved in the case and their activities, training of their subordinates, handling of funds and the objectives behind the suspicious activities are under scanner.
“Many people from affiliated organisations were involved. We are investigating their activities, how they trained their subordinates, how money was handled, and the objectives behind these activities,” she added.
She further confirmed that the children involved have been sent to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Kanker and to their place of origin subsequently.
“Some details are being kept confidential for the purpose of the police investigation,” she further added.
A major controversy erupted in Dharampur village of Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh on January 6 after villagers, along with local Hindu workers, protested against alleged conversion activities in an impermanent Church/Ashram where minor children were kept.
The matter come to light after villagers and Hindu workers received information about suspicious activities in the said premise located at the outskirts of the village. The building belongs to David Chako, who had earlier informed the locals that the premise was being erected for residential purpose.
The activists along with the villagers on January 6 gathered for a protest, raising slogans against conversion activities in the premises. They further alleged that 10-12 minor children from separate areas have been kept at the centre.
The protest from the locals, prompted the authorities to initiate a probe into the matter which in turn resulted in seizure of several documents, digital devices and equipment for training purposes. According to reports, a four-day training program organised in December 2025 is also under scanner, where training was provided to few selected individuals. The matter is being investigated further by police.
(With inputs from agencies)
