BHIWANDI: On Friday, the Bhiwandi taluka police detained a 58-year-old United States national, James Watson, who is in India on a business visa, alongside two local residents. They are accused of attempting to convert villagers in Chimbipada to Christianity during a prayer meeting.
According to police reports, the incident occurred during a gathering in Chimbipada village attended by approximately 35 villagers. The police identified Watson, who resides in Thane, along with Sainath Ganpati Sarpe (42) from Palghar and Manoj Govind Kolha (35) from Chimbipada. The three individuals face charges under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for actions intended to outrage religious feelings, as well as the Foreigners Act for misuse of visa norms and Maharashtra’s 2013 anti-black magic law.
Senior Inspector Harshavardhan Barve stated that Watson was misusing his business visa to engage in religious activities. “Further investigation is ongoing,” he added. The police acted upon a complaint filed by local resident Ravinath Bhurkut.
During the prayer meeting held outside Kolha’s home, the accused allegedly read from various religious texts and preached Christian beliefs. According to the complaint, they claimed that Hinduism was rooted in superstition and that converting to Christianity would lead to happiness and prosperity. The accused also suggested that illnesses could be healed through prayers to Christ and by consuming wine offered as “prasad.”
Notably, the complaint indicated that Watson and his associates sought names of four girls believed to be ill, who were allegedly “forcibly detained” for Watson to place his hands on their foreheads, asserting he was channeling “divine power” for healing.
