The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have arrested two men, including an American national, for allegedly trying to convert people to Christianity by offering financial aid on Monday. They have also detained a minor boy.
According to the information received, the American national has been identified as Schaefer Javin Jacob (41), a resident of California, who lives in an apartment near Mukai Chowk in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The other arrested individual is Steven Vijay Kadam (46), a resident of Raisoni Society in Pimpri.
According to the police, the accused allegedly approached complainant Sunny Dhanani (27) at his residence in Pimpri at around 11:30am on Sunday. They allegedly told him to embrace Christianity to get "happiness, peace, wealth, and good mental health." They also allegedly offered financial aid if he accepted Christianity.
However, Dhanani approached the police and filed a complaint against the accused for allegedly hurting his religious sentiments.
According to the police, the American national has been coming to India since 2016 on tourist and business visas.
The accused have been booked under Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Meanwhile, they have also invoked Sections 14(b) and (c) of the Foreigners Act against the American national.
