22 Women Booked in Palghar for Alleged Religious Conversion Bid in Wakadpada

Mokhada police have registered a case against 22 women, including a resident of Ulhasnagar in Thane district, for allegedly attempting religious conversion and hurting religious feelings in the Wakadpada region.

According to Assistant Police Inspector Ajit Sable, the case was filed following a complaint by an 18-year-old youth regarding an incident that occurred in Wakadpada on August 21. The complainant stated that a group of women visited his residence and offered him free religious literature, including copies of the 'New Testament'.

The women allegedly told the teenager that reading the texts would cure illnesses and shield him from diseases. When the youth refused to accept the books, the women reportedly urged him to stop worshipping Hindu deities and suggested that he convert to Christianity instead.

Following the interaction, the complainant informed local villagers about the incident. The villagers then accompanied the youth to the Mokhada Police Station to submit a formal complaint against the group.

API Sable confirmed that two primary suspects have been identified among the 22 accused named in the case. They are Satyavati Balkrishna Kunche, 46, a resident of Ulhasnagar in Thane district, and Kusum Shivram Kambdi, a local resident.

The complainant alleged that the accused made remarks regarding Hinduism and Hindu deities while engaging in the propagation and promotion of Christianity.

Mokhada police registered the case under Sections 299 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Police Sub-Inspector Pratik Pokale is currently conducting further investigation into the matter. Officials confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection with the case so far.