CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: What Happened to Pastor Jose Pappachan and Sheeja Pappachan? First Christian Couple Jailed for 5 Years for “Attempting to Convert” in UP, India [#JosePappachan #SheejaPappachan]
CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: What Happened to Pastor Jose Pappachan and Sheeja Pappachan? First Christian Couple Jailed for 5 Years for “Attempting to Convert” in UP, India [#JosePappachan #SheejaPappachan]
In a first in India, a court sentenced a Christian couple to 5 years in prison for attempting to convert people in a northern state known for its anti-Christian activities.
On January 22, 2025 a special court in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district convicted Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife, Sheeja Pappachan, for offenses against socially underprivileged classes.
They were sentenced to 5 years in prison and each fined 25,000 rupees (US$300).
Pastor Joy Mathew, who has been assisting the couple, said the judgment was “biased.”
“We will challenge it in the High Court, the top court in the state.”
“There was no evidence on record to substantiate the conversion charges, but still, they were convicted.”
“This is bad in law” if people can be convicted “merely based on unsubstantiated statements from those listed as witnesses.”
– Pastor Joy Mathew
The couple was convicted and charged with violating the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act 2021.
The law was revised in 2024, making it harsher and allowing for a life sentence in some cases.
In January 2023, an official from the Hindu-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which runs the state government, filed a complaint against the couple, alleging them of indulging in religious conversion of persons from tribal and socially impoverished Dalit backgrounds.
The couple denied the charge, claiming that they were educating children and assisting others in quitting drinking and fighting with one another.
The couple had spent 8 months in prison before being granted freedom by the Allahabad High Court last September.
In its bail ruling, the High Court stated that distributing Bibles, educating children, and conducting acts of public charity do not constitute attempts to commit religious conversion.
The court also questioned the complainant’s ability to present the case in court.
According to the 2021 law, only the offended individual or their blood relative may make a complaint of forced conversion.
However, the modified law allowed third parties to file complaints.
NEWS SOURCE & LINKS:
ucanews.com
What Happened to Pastor Jose & Sheeja Pappachan? 1ST CHRISTIAN COUPLE JAILED “ATTEMPTING TO CONVERT” | Christian Breaking News!