The case has been registered at Antoo police station under Section 153-A of IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony).

However, Pratapgarh SP Mohit Agarwal said, “The allegation is yet to be corroborated, as the police have not found as yet anybody who has accepted having converted to another religion. The accused are yet to be traced.”

Pratapgarh city circle officer Shiva Ji said district VHP organising secretary Devraj lodged the FIR alleging the priest at Pratapgarh church, S K Singh, and his follower Shiv Kumar Verma alias ‘Eeshu Baba’ had  converted several Hindus  to Christianity during the last few months.

The CO said the primary investigation showed Verma has been holding a daily congregation at Bakshu ka Purwa village for the last few months. He used to offer “holy water” to those suffering from various diseases, claiming it was a complete cure for all their problems. He charged Rs 60 from people who asked for the “holy water” and those who attended the gathering had to pay Rs 10 each for registration, he said.