Source:  www.assistnews.net

Date:  2008-01-25

By James Varghese
Special to ASSIST News Service

UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- An Indian Pastor and his wife were arrested and jailed on charges of conversion in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh state on Monday, January 21.

According to news released by www.persecution.in, Pastor Yashwant Paul and his wife Monica were both arrested for what local Christians say was a false accusation of trying "fraudulently convert a person to Christianity with false promises of employment."

The police have charged Pastor Paul and his wife is also named as the co-accused in this case, under the Sections of the law 420 and 407 of the Indian Penal Code.

The complainant, Mr. Ramesh Chand, (a Hindu) has accused Rev. Paul and his wife for asking Ramesh to pay a sum of Rupees. 20,000/- (US 500), and for promising him a job, if he converted to Christianity. However, Rev. Paul and his wife have vehemently denied the charges.

Pastor Paul and his wife are currently being held in the District Jail, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. After his bail plea was rejected by the magistrate, he has appealed before the Sessions Court and the case will come up for the hearing on Monday, January 28.