Pune conversion case: UK-based OCI holder booked under new Maharashtra law

NEW DELHI: Pune Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder from the United Kingdom for allegedly attempting to convert people to Christianity through religious gatherings.DCP Prashant Amrutkar of the Pune City Police's Special Branch said the accused, a Manchester resident, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.According to police, OCI cardholders are permitted to attend prayer meetings and participate in religious functions, but cannot preach or deliver religious speeches without the required permission.Police alleged that the accused spoke about following the path of Jesus and made statements about Hindu temples and deities that they claimed could create misconceptions, news agency ANI reports.The police suspect that the statements were made with the intention of misleading people and inducing them to embrace Christianity. Further investigation is underway.In a separate case, Pune City Police arrested a 21-year-old man under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 and the POCSO Act for allegedly attempting to convert and sexually harassing a minor girl, news agency ANI reported.The case was registered at Fursungi Police Station on August 5, and the investigation is underway.Police said it is the first case registered in Maharashtra under the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.The developments come amid a wider debate over religious conversion and foreign funding. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said organisations that operate transparently and comply with the law have nothing to fear from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.Fadnavis also rejected the suggestion that the FCRA legislation targets any particular community. “This is not an issue concerning any one particular community. FCRA is not meant only for Christian organisations. It is applicable to all organisations, irrespective of which community they belong to,” he said.