Manchester Priest Faces Legal Limbo in India After Charges Under Non-Existent Law
A Manchester-based church leader, Pankaj Devnoor, finds himself at the center of a mounting legal controversy in India after being charged with attempting to convert Hindus under a piece of legislation that was not yet in force.
The 50-year-old priest, who leads a congregation associated with the Anglican Episcopal Church International, was visiting Pune in the western state of Maharashtra to attend the 141st anniversary of the Pavitranam Devalaya church. What was intended to be a 10-day celebration of prayer and sermonizing took a sudden, volatile turn on 7 August when a group of men interrupted the proceedings.
A Case of “Retroactive” Justice
The complainant, Amit Raju Bhosale, alleged that he had arrived under the impression that he was attending a Hindu cultural event, only to find the proceedings focused on Christianity. He accused the organizers of attempting to deceive the audience into religious conversion.
However, a subsequent review by a local court—which granted Mr. Devnoor interim bail—found no evidence that the event was designed to convert participants. The court noted that the complainants appeared to have attended the venue under the “misconception that it’s a cultural programme for Hindus.”
The most alarming development in the case emerged when it was discovered that the specific legislation cited in the police chargesheet, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026, did not become operational until 28 August.
Human rights lawyer Colin Gonsalves condemned the procedural error, stating, “If the law has not come into force, there is no offence. Simple as that. An offence can’t be created by a judge. It can only be created by the parliament.”
Concerns Over Due Process
Legal experts are now questioning the conduct of the local authorities and the magistrate. While police have indicated they may drop the specific anti-conversion charge, they continue to probe other potential violations, including immigration status and the legality of the priest delivering religious discourses without specific permits.
Anas Tanwir, a Supreme Court lawyer, argued that the magistrate’s office should act as a safeguard rather than a “rubber stamp” for police allegations. “The court should examine whether the alleged offence exists in law, whether the provisions invoked are in force, and whether the arrest is legally justified,” Tanwir noted.
A Family’s Fear for Safety
As the legal battle continues, the priest’s family in the UK is living in a state of high anxiety. Mr. Devnoor remains in India, barred from leaving the country and required to report regularly to a local police station. His daughter, Manali Devnoor, expressed deep concern over her father’s safety after his personal details and location were widely circulated in local media.
“We live in the UK and we read about the treatment of minorities in India. It is very scary,” she said. “Our priority is making sure he comes back home safe.”
The incident follows a documented rise in the harassment of religious minorities across India. Advocacy groups, including Open Doors, have tracked dozens of incidents involving the disruption of church services and the intimidation of Christian leaders, often by groups claiming to act in defense of Hindu cultural values.
As Mr. Devnoor prepares for his next court date, his supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal costs, while international observers continue to monitor the case as a litmus test for the rule of law and religious freedom in the region.
