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Pankaj Devnoor is associated with the Anglican Episcopal Church International and leads a Christian community in Manchester in the UK.
Pankaj Devnoor, who leads a Christian community in Manchester, had travelled to Pune to attend the 41st anniversary celebrations of a church. (Photo: Pankaj Devnoor/Facebook)
A 50-year-old church leader from the UK has been booked in Pune for allegedly attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity during a visit to India.
Pankaj Devnoor, who leads a Christian community in Manchester, had travelled to Pune to attend the 41st anniversary celebrations of a church.
On August 7, a group of men allegedly entered the Pavitranam Devalaya church and accused Devnoor of encouraging religious conversion. A case was subsequently registered against him.
The case initially invoked provisions of Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. However, during a court hearing, it emerged that the legislation was not yet in force at the time of the alleged incident. Police subsequently said that Devnoor would be booked under other applicable laws.
Devnoor was not arrested and was granted interim anticipatory bail, subject to a condition that he not leave India.
According to the police, Devnoor was permitted under his immigration status as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to attend prayer meetings and participate in religious functions in the country. However, police said he was not permitted to preach or deliver religious discourses without prior permission.
Who Is Pankaj Devnoor?
Devnoor is associated with the Anglican Episcopal Church International and leads a Christian community in Manchester in the UK.
According to his family, he has previously served in ministry in the Church of England and was involved in visiting patients in NHS hospitals.
His family has rejected the allegations of religious conversion, describing them as “baseless”, and is considering legal action against the police.
The family has also launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Devnoor’s legal defence and help bring him back to Manchester, Independent reported.
The fundraiser had crossed £6,600 against a target of £10,000 at the time of reporting. The family said the case had caused Devnoor significant financial hardship and affected his employment and livelihood.
Devnoor’s son, Punit, who set up the fundraiser, said his father had devoted much of his life to serving others.
“My father has given much of his life to serving others,” Punit wrote on the fundraising page, adding that Devnoor had “always been the person our family, and so many others, could lean on.”
The family maintains that Devnoor did not engage in religious conversion and is seeking legal assistance as the case proceeds.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Pankaj Devnoor has been booked under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 and the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.
Ask News18About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
London, United Kingdom (UK)
August 21, 2026, 4:51 PM IST
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