Mumbai Police Forwards Complaint Against MLA Gopichand Padalkar Over Alleged Threats To Christians

Mumbai: Agripada police station in Mumbai has sent a complaint filed by a local resident about a objectionable speech made against Christians by Member of Legislative Assembly, Gopichand Padalkar, to Sangli city police station, for investigation.

The Agripada police had received the complaint from church activist, Cyril Dara, on July 19. The complaint said that Padalkar, while speaking at a public event in Sangli on June 17, allegedly offered a reward of Rs11 lakh to anyone who kills a Christian missionary involved in religious conversion.

Padalkar's remarks came after a 28-year-old pregnant woman died by suicide in Sangli district because of an alleged demand for dowry from in-laws and pressure to practise Christianity.

In response to Dara's complaint, the senior inspector of Agripada police said that since the incident took place at Sangli city, the original application and response have been sent to Sangli city police station for further action.

The national commission for minorities has also asked the Maharashtra chief secretary to investigate complaints by the state's Christians about threats made by Padalkar.