On 10th January, the Kanpur Dehat Police in Uttar Pradesh arrested three people linked to an organised religious conversion racket. According to the police, the accused linked to the racket exploited Covid-era distress to win trust and carry out conversions under the disguise of a vocational training centre. Police formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter, following which these arrests were made. Police suspect inter-district, inter-state and possible foreign funding links in the case.
पुलिस अधीक्षक @shraddha_pn के निर्देशन में थाना अकबरपुर पुलिस टीम द्वारा कार्यवाही करते हुए थाना क्षेत्र में धर्मपरिवर्तन कराने वाले गिरोह का अनावरण करते हुए गिरोह के 03 सदस्यों को किया गया गिरफ्तार । pic.twitter.com/AcYomgcmBg
— Kanpur Dehat Police (@kanpurdehatpol) January 10, 2026
How Covid relief was allegedly used to build trust
During the Covid pandemic, Kanpur Dehat witnessed severe economic distress. Several families struggled for food and employment. According to the police, the accused took advantage of this vulnerability and started a skill training centre in a closed school building near Akbarpur. At the centre, the accused provided vocational training and small-scale assistance. However, it was merely a cover to gain the confidence of economically weak and Scheduled Caste families.
Police said in a statement that once people were drawn in, the accused gradually introduced Bible readings, prayer meetings and baptism rituals. Eventually, they would convert vulnerable Hindus to Christianity.
Arrests and role of the accused
Speaking to the media, Superintendent of Police Shraddha Narendra Pandey said that an SIT was formed after links to Kanpur Dehat emerged during the investigation of a conversion case in Kannauj. On 10th January, the police arrested Daniel Sharad Singh, Pastor Hariom Tyagi and Savitri Sharma. They were running the centre under the banner of the Navakanti Society.
थाना अकबरपुर पुलिस टीम द्वारा कार्यवाही करते हुए थाना क्षेत्र में धर्मपरिवर्तन कराने वाले गिरोह का अनावरण करते हुए गिरोह के 03 सदस्यों को गिरफ्तार करने के संबंध में पुलिस अधीक्षक @shraddha_pn द्वारा दी गयी बाइट।@Uppolice @adgzonekanpur @igrangekanpur pic.twitter.com/13BNiLEmPb
— Kanpur Dehat Police (@kanpurdehatpol) January 10, 2026
During Covid, the accused had acquired a closed school building. Later, it functioned as a vocational training centre which offered courses such as sewing, embroidery, carpentry, fitter work and other technical skills. Police allege that the accused selectively targeted poor and marginalised groups and offered them training, cash assistance and material support.
Handpumps, inducements and baptism
During the investigation, the police found that the group provided handpumps and other small necessities to villages to deepen its influence. So far, the group has reportedly installed 50 handpumps. The cost of each installation was around Rs 50,000. Once individuals were drawn in, they were subjected to Bible reading sessions and baptism ceremonies. The accused described these ceremonies as purification, after which they would convert Hindus to Christianity.
Documents recovered from the premises are being examined to determine how many people were converted and how the funds were routed.
Clubs run for different age groups
During questioning by the police, the accused told them that they operated separate clubs for villagers, youth, children and the elderly. One key unit, called the “home church”, involved converted youth hosting prayer meetings from their houses and presenting Christianity as a path out of poverty. They also asked the converted to persuade others to convert to Christianity.
Another group named “Awana” focused specifically on children. Police also found evidence of video Bible reading schools, adult education centres and stitching training units being used to sustain contact with targeted groups.
FIR under conversion law and lessons from Kannauj case
An FIR has been registered based on the complaint of Ram Bharose, a resident of Nibauli village, under Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police officials said greater care was taken after procedural lapses in the earlier Kannauj case.
Monthly payments for conversion
According to the FIR, Ram Bharose said that he was offered a monthly payment of Rs 6,000 to bring youth to the centre. Women were promised sewing machines and cash. As prayer meetings became routine, some individuals received Rs 200 per session.
Others named in the complaint were paid between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000 per month after conversion. Memory cards with sermons and radios were also distributed to spread religious messaging.
Inter-state links and Andhra Pradesh registration
Police say the Navakanti Society is registered in Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Records and bank accounts are being scrutinised to trace fund flows. SP Pandey said links to Kannauj, Mirzapur and border districts such as Auraiya, Jalaun, Kanpur Nagar, Fatehpur, Jhansi and Chandauli are being examined.
Investigators are also probing whether members attended programmes outside the state as part of a wider network.
Foreign nationals in photos, funding angle under scanner
The SIT recovered photographs showing large groups engaged in Bible readings, with some images allegedly featuring foreign nationals. The complainant has alleged overseas funding, and police are now matching photographic evidence with financial records to establish the source of funds.
The police maintain that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible as the scale of the network becomes clearer.
