The police on Saturday arrested pastor C.M. Khanna of the All-India Saint's Church for his alleged involvement in conversions in the Valley.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Central Kashmir range) Abdul Gani Mir told The Hindu that the pastor was arrested from his residence in Church Lane Sonwar. “He has been arrested in connection with the FIR registered at the Ram Munshi Bagh police station under Sections 153-A and 259 and 186 of the Ranbir Penal Code.” The FIR pertained to allegations of his involvement in conversions of youth in the Valley.
The police earlier arrested seven persons in this case. “Investigations are on and nothing can be said at this stage,” Mr. Mir said.”
Sources said the police also searched the pastor's house.
Pastor Khanna was in the dock after a CD surfaced in Srinagar, which purportedly showed his involvement in performing conversion of youth.
The case was later taken up by the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, Mufti Bashiruddin, who summoned him two days ago and sought his explanation in front of 15 other Ulemas. The Mufti told The Hindu that pastor Khanna had confessed to his involvement in converting the people. The Mufti, who heads the Supreme Court of Islamic Jurisprudence in Kashmir, has again convened a meeting of the scholars for November 21 to deliberate upon the issue.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has also convened for Monday a meeting of scholars and Imams of various mosques in the Valley to discuss the issue.
