Allahabad HC Refuses Relief to Catholic Priest, Says No Faith Can Claim Exclusive Truth

Prayagraj, March 27, 2026: The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash a case against a Catholic priest, asking him to face trial over allegations that his statements during prayer meetings hurt religious sentiments.

The application was filed by Father Vineet Vincent Pereira under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), seeking quashing of the chargesheet, cognisance order and entire proceedings in the case.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Church authorities said that they would appeal in the Supreme Court against the verdict.

The case stems from an FIR alleging that during prayer meetings, the priest frequently stated that there is only one religion—Christianity—and that such statements hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

A single bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava observed that it is wrong for any religion to claim that it is the “only true religion,” as such a claim implies disparagement of other faiths in a secular country like India.

The Court noted that India is a secular nation where people of different faiths and beliefs live together, and referred to Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.

Upon examining the FIR, the Court found that the allegations—that the applicant frequently made such statements during prayer meetings—prima facie fall within the ambit of Section 295A.

The petitioner argued that he had been falsely implicated, had not engaged in illegal religious conversion, and that the investigating officer had found no evidence of forced conversion. However, the Court held that these submissions involve disputed questions of fact that cannot be examined while exercising powers under Section 528 BNSS.

The bench further clarified that at the stage of taking cognisance or summoning, the Magistrate is only required to form a prima facie opinion based on available material and is not expected to conduct a “mini trial” or evaluate the defence of the accused.

Finding no merit in the application, the High Court dismissed the plea and allowed the criminal proceedings to continue.

By Catholic Connect Reporter