Uttar Pradesh: Inter-State Religious Conversion Network Busted in Agra; 4 Arrested
Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested four people for allegedly operating an inter-state religious conversion network through gatherings disguised as birthday celebrations. The syndicate reportedly targeted vulnerable people by promising healing from ailments. Police said the network was active across five states and booked the accused under relevant laws.
Local law enforcement authorities in Uttar Pradesh have busted an alleged inter-state religious conversion network operating through clandestine gatherings in rural regions. Four individuals were arrested from a village located within the Saiyyan area of Agra district on Thursday following a coordinated police raid that uncovered meetings disguised as birthday celebrations.
As reported by The Times of India, police action was initiated late Wednesday night after receiving actionable intelligence regarding suspicious activities. Investigators discovered that the gatherings, locally referred to as changai sabhas or healing meets, lured vulnerable individuals by falsely promising divine relief from chronic ailments such as asthma, epilepsy, and bodily pain. What Is Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026? What Changes From August 28.
Modus Operandi and Inter-State Links
The arrested suspects have been identified as Vineet Vedi and Buntu alias Dongar Singh from Rajasthan, alongside Mukhraj and Pratap Singh from Agra. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused belonged to an organized syndicate active across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Punjab over the past three years.
Investigators stated that the syndicate operated methodically by identifying targets via social media and personal outreach, focusing heavily on people burdened by financial distress, familial issues, or health complications. Operatives were reportedly assigned specific targets and offered financial incentives linked to conversion quotas, while external funding channels and religious texts were also seized during the raids.
Legal Action and Ongoing Police Probe
A formal First Information Report has been registered at the Saiyyan police station. The accused have been booked under Section 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to petty organized crime, alongside Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 Passed After Heated Debate In Assembly; Shiv Sena (UBT) Backs Govt as Congress, NCP(SP) Oppose.
Senior police officials confirmed that further inquiries are underway to trace additional members of the network, determine the precise origin of their financial backing, and identify the total number of individuals influenced or targeted by the syndicate across different states.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
