Bail Denied Twice to Catholics Arrested After Prayer Gathering Disruption in Rajasthan

May 20, 2026: Three weeks after a Catholic prayer gathering in Rajasthan’s Banswara district was disrupted by a group accusing participants of religious conversion, bail has reportedly been denied twice to those unjustly arrested following the incident, raising concern among the local Catholic community.

The incident took place on May 1 in Kalinjara village under Bandaria Parish in Kushalgarh tehsil, where around 70 Catholics had gathered for a novena prayer and celebration of the Eucharist. According to parish priest Fr. Arvind Amliyar, a group of men entered the venue during the prayer service, levelled allegations of conversion, and allegedly intimidated those present, leading to a confrontation.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Fr. Arvind Amliyar said that nine Christians are currently in jail in connection with the case.

“The first bail appeal was applied here in the lower court on May 5, and it was dismissed,” the priest said. He added that a second bail application was then filed before the upper court on May 6.

“The order was kept pending until Monday, May 11. During the hearing in the upper court that day, arguments were heard again, and the order was once more reserved until the following day, May 12,” he said.

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According to the priest, the verdict ultimately did not go in favour of the accused Christians. “So we have appealed a writ in the High Court and are waiting for the date,” r. Amliyar said.

At the time of the incident, the priest had alleged that the group which entered the prayer gathering used abusive language, harassed women, and carried a large knife, creating panic among those assembled. He had also stated that police refused to register the Catholic community’s FIR despite repeated attempts and instead acted on a complaint filed by the opposing side.

Police had detained local Catholics following the incident, including a retired principal and several young men from the village.

The continued detention of the accused has caused concern not only among local faithful in Rajasthan but also within Christian communities across the country, weeks after the confrontation during the prayer gathering.

The case has further renewed nationwide concerns over increasing false allegations of forced conversion being linked to prayer meetings and religious gatherings in different parts of India.

By Catholic Connect Reporter