One more accused held in Nadiad religious conversion case

Nadiad: The local police have arrested another accused in the alleged illegal religious conversion case that surfaced last month. The accused was presented in court, which granted a five-day police remand until October 11, 2025. Preliminary reports indicate that the arrested person was involved in conducting conversion ceremonies.

The case first came to light on September 9, 2025, when authorities revealed that the organizations Restoration and Revival Foundation Trust, operating near Ram Talavdi in western Nadiad, were bringing people from across India for alleged illegal religious conversions to Christianity. At that time, the police had registered a case against Steven McEwan and Smitul Philipbhai Mehida.

Subsequently, on September 28, 2025, Steven was apprehended and sent on a seven-day police remand for an in-depth investigation. Following the completion of his remand, he was sent to jail.

Yesterday, the police arrested another accused, Smitul Philipbhai Mehida, who was reportedly conducting conversion rituals. Nadiad DYSP Vimal Bajpai confirmed that the court approved a five-day remand for the accused.

Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine the involvement of other individuals or organizations in this case. Notably, the organization is reported to have received foreign funding, and the probe into these conversions is continuing. DeshGujarat