Germans couple, in India on work visa, detained in Rajasthan over conversion claims
According to local police, information was received that a prayer group was functioning without permission in Sri Karanpur, about 15 km from the Pakistan border
Sri Ganganagar police in Rajasthan detained six people, including a German couple, on Thursday night for alleged religious conversion activities in the Sri Karanpur area near India’s international border.
According to local police, they received information that a Christian prayer group was functioning without permission in Sri Karanpur, about 15 km from the Pakistan border. When police reached the spot, they detained several people, including the German couple who were in India on work visas.
Raji Ram, Circle Officer of Sri Karanpur police station, told The Indian Express, “We have detained six people and an FIR has been registered. Allegations were made regarding the prayer group functioning without permission. It is a matter of investigation if they were involved in religious conversion. The German couple have not been named in the FIR. They were visiting the area on the invitation of one of the detainees who knew them from his time in Germany”.
An FIR has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita, Rajasthan Anti-Conversion Law and the Foreigners Act Section 14.
A large number of people from Hindu and Sikh organisations gathered outside the place where the alleged prayer group was functioning and in front of the police station to hold protests till late at night.
According to police officials, Sri Karanpur is a sensitive area adjacent to the international border, where strict rules are in place regarding the movement of foreign nationals.
An investigation is underway to determine how the German couple reached the area. Further investigation will begin after Bikaner Range Inspector General Hemant Sharma and Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan arrive in Sri Karanpur.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the couple allegedly entered the area without permission.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
