Background

Ramesh Vasunyia is a Christian pastor in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. He along with his wife and son managed the Christian prayer hall in Pandalva village of Jhabua district.

Charges and Allegations

Ramesh Vasunyia was taken into police custody on December 5, 2021, after some policemen came to make inquiries at his prayer hall in Pandalva village of Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh. He was taken to Ranapur police station on the pretext of asking him questions. Later, a first information report (FIR) was registered. Six people, including Ramesh Vasunyia and his wife, were booked under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. They were charged with converting people to Christianity through allurement.

The complaint was filed by 70-year-old Hindu priest Moga Vasuniya who alleged that upon visiting Ramesh Vasunyia’s prayer hall, Ramesh allegedly sprayer holy water on him and promised him Rs 1,000, a motorcycle and medical facilities if he converted to Christianity.

Current Status

Ramesh Vasunyia was granted bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on September 20, 2022 – nine months after his arrest. The bail order asked Ramesh to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount to ensure that he could be present at the court hearings.

The order, however, adds that if Ramesh was found to be involved in any other offence, the bail order would automatically be cancelled and the police could arrest him again.