An FIR has been registered against 22 women in Palghar district of Maharashtra following a complaint alleging an attempt at religious conversion and acts intended to hurt religious sentiments.
The incident took place on August 21 in Vakadpada village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Mokhada police station. Police have registered a case under Sections 299 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
FIR registered against 22 women
Mokhada police station Assistant Police Inspector Ajit Sable said Section 299 deals with acts intended to deliberately and maliciously outrage religious feelings, while Section 3(5) relates to offences committed with common intention.
Among the 22 women named in the FIR are Satyavati Balkrishna Kunche, 46, a resident of Ulhasnagar in Thane district, and Kusum Shivram Kambadi, who lives in the area.
18-year-old student files complaint
The case was registered following a complaint filed by an 18-year-old student.
According to his complaint, a group of women visited his house on Friday afternoon.
Police said Kunche allegedly offered him religious books, including the New Testament, free of cost. She allegedly told him that reading the books could cure illnesses and protect people from diseases.
The student refused to accept the books.
Following this, Kunche allegedly made derogatory remarks about Hindu gods, goddesses and religious beliefs and asked him to stop worshipping them and convert to Christianity, according to the complaint.
Villagers stopped the women
The student subsequently informed local villagers about the incident.
Police said the villagers, including Milind Jhole, then stopped the group of women.
The preliminary investigation found that the women had allegedly travelled from Hyderabad through contacts of local resident Kusum Kambadi, police said.
Investigation underway
Police said the investigation into the case is currently underway.
No arrests have been made so far.
