A Christian couple, Jose Pappachan and Sheeja AMN, were sentenced to five years in jail by an Ambedkar Nagar court for allegedly converting members of the Scheduled Castes to Christianity using financial inducements. The couple was found guilty under Section 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. They were accused of distributing Christian-related materials and using financial incentives to convert Dalits in the village of Shahpur Firoz, Jalalpur Police Station, district Ambedkar.
The court’s decision came after a thorough investigation and examination of witnesses. The couple’s actions were deemed a serious offense, warranting a five-year imprisonment term and a fine of Rs. 25,000 each. In case of non-payment of the penalty, each accused would have to undergo an additional two-month sentence.
