Pilibhit: In Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit, a man identified as Anokhelal was arrested for allegedly attempting to persuade villagers to convert to Christianity by offering promises of government jobs and marriage to attractive women. Residents of Jograjpur village detained him and later handed him over to the police.
According to reports, Anokhelal, a resident of Moradabad, had travelled to Pilibhit and reportedly began preaching Christianity after visiting an electronics shop owned by Gaurav Gupta. Villagers alleged that he gradually started pressuring locals to convert by making various promises, including employment opportunities and marriage prospects.
When some residents, including Gaurav Gupta, objected to his activities, Anokhelal allegedly abused them and issued threats. Following the incident, villagers informed the police. Workers associated with Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also reached the Sehramau police station and submitted a complaint. Police subsequently arrested the accused and sent him to jail.
While in police custody, Anokhelal reportedly said that he had been preaching Christianity for nearly 20 years and believed it to be a noble mission. He claimed that he once suffered from severe mental distress and suicidal thoughts, which he attributed to an “evil spirit.” According to him, a man he met in Delhi advised him to read the Bible, after which he embraced Christianity, saying that Jesus Christ had freed him from his troubles. He further claimed that since then, he had been travelling to different villages to spread Christian teachings and had even sold seven acres of land during this period.
Police officials stated that Anokhelal has allegedly been involved in missionary activities since 2006. He is married and has two children, though his family is reportedly no longer in contact with him. Authorities are now investigating the source of funding behind his activities and whether he was linked to any organised network.
