Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Preacher arrested in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh

20th September 2005: Om Prakash Pandey, an evangelist was arrested and detained at Bikapur Police station, Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh.

He had gone to the village to preach but was arrested and detained by the police following complaints against him by the locals. The police confirmed that some locals had also tried physically harming the evangelist.

The SSP of Faizabad reported that Pandey was arrested under section 151 of the Indian Penal Code, which says, "Whoever knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after such assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both."

Unconfirmed reports say that Pandey has been released on bail on the 21st September morning.