A special court in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar district has sentenced Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife, Sheeja Pappachan, to five years in prison for attempting to convert individuals, marking the first conviction under India’s stringent anti-conversion laws.

The verdict was delivered by Additional District Judge Ram Bilash Singh, who also imposed a fine of ₹25,000 each on the couple. The case originated from a complaint lodged in January 2023 by a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The couple was charged under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. They were accused of attempting to convert individuals, particularly from tribal and Dalit communities. However, the defence argued that their activities were limited to providing education, promoting sobriety, and organising community programs.

Pastor Jose Pappachan, originally from Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, has faced hostility in the past. In 2021, he was reportedly assaulted and threatened by police and extremist groups in Bihar’s Supaul district due to his ministry work.

“How is it possible to sentence someone to 5 years for merely suspicious conversion?” asked A. C. Michael, the National Coordinator of the United Christian Forum (UCF).

Calling it “unlawful,” A. C. Michael stated, “There was no evidence to substantiate the charges of conversion, yet they were convicted based on unsubstantiated statements, and such a conviction for a suspected attempt to convert will not pass the judgment of a higher court.”

Previously, the couple had been granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in September 2024, stating, “Providing good teachings, distributing the Holy Bible, encouraging children to get an education, organising assemblies of villagers and conducting community meals, instructing villagers not to argue and also not drink liquor does not amount to allurement.”

A press release issued by the United Christian Forum observed, “Unchecked persecution and continuing government silence will threaten Christian identity.”

The statement reads, “There is fear of the establishment borne out of the experience of the past decade where the guilty go free and innocent pastors, their wives, and on occasions their children, have been pushed into jails.”

The forum has called for transparent enforcement of laws safeguarding religious freedom and minority rights, emphasising that such measures, coupled with official integrity, are essential to ensure unbiased investigations, fair court trials, and accountability for those found guilty.

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Amendment Bill, revised in 2024, has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that the legislation disproportionately targets religious minorities and marginalised communities, raising concerns over its potential misuse.