Bhiwandi, Maharashtra | October 6, 2025
In a case that has ignited debates on religious conversions, visa regulations, and foreign influences in India's rural heartlands, police in Bhiwandi taluka of Thane district arrested a 58-year-old US national and two Indian residents on charges of attempting to convert villagers to Christianity through coercive tactics and false promises of miraculous healing. The Friday afternoon incident in Chimbipada village, a quiet agrarian hamlet on the outskirts of the bustling textile hub of Bhiwandi, has drawn sharp scrutiny from local authorities, who suspect it may be part of a broader network exploiting vulnerable communities under the guise of spiritual outreach.
The arrests, made without prior intelligence but prompted by a swift complaint from a local resident, underscore the stringent enforcement of India's anti-conversion laws and the Maharashtra-specific anti-superstition statute. As investigations deepen, whispers on social media of the American suspect's possible military background and intelligence ties have added a layer of intrigue, though police have refrained from confirming such claims.
The Incident Unfolds in a Village Prayer Meet
The episode played out around 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2025, outside the modest home of Manoj Govind Kolha, a 35-year-old resident of Bhuishet in Chimbipada village. Without obtaining any administrative permission for a public religious gathering—a mandatory requirement under local regulations—the trio organized an impromptu prayer meeting that drew 30 to 35 villagers, including men, women, and children from the predominantly Hindu community.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Bhiwandi taluka police station, the group arrived in a nondescript vehicle loaded with religious texts on Christianity. They distributed books and excerpts to the attendees, reciting passages that allegedly denigrated Hinduism as rooted in "superstition and blind faith." The preachers proclaimed that "there are no other gods" besides the Christian deity and enticed participants with assurances that converting to Christianity would usher in "happiness, prosperity, and relief from all worldly sufferings."
The most contentious element involved promises of supernatural healing. The accused reportedly claimed that ailments could be cured instantaneously through fervent prayers to Jesus Christ, supplemented by consuming wine offered as "prasad"—a ritual item in Hindu traditions repurposed here in a manner police described as manipulative. In a disturbing twist, the group specifically targeted vulnerable families by inquiring about underage children suffering from illnesses. They noted down the names of four young girls, whom the complainant alleged were "forcibly detained" during the session. James Watson, the US national, then placed his hands on the girls' foreheads, invoking what he called "divine power" channeled directly from Christ to heal them. Eyewitnesses later recounted the scene as intimidating, with the girls appearing scared and the villagers coerced into participation.
Ravindra Bhurkut, a 27-year-old local resident and the complainant, who was present at the gathering, detailed the ordeal in his police statement: “They were also saying the Hindu religion is based on blind faith, that there are no other gods, and that one can attain happiness and prosperity by converting to Christianity.” He further elaborated on the healing ritual: “The accused asked if any children had illnesses, noted the names of four girls who were forcibly detained, after which [Watson] placed his hands on their foreheads, claiming he was channelling ‘divine power’ to heal them.” Bhurkut, fearing for the community's well-being, immediately alerted authorities, leading to a rapid raid and on-the-spot detentions.
Profiles of the Accused
The three men in custody present a mix of international and local elements, raising questions about coordination and funding.
James Watson, 58: A US citizen residing at Hiranandani Estate in Thane city, Watson entered India on a business visa, ostensibly for commercial activities. Police allege he flagrantly violated visa norms by spearheading religious proselytizing, a prohibited activity under the Foreigners Act. Social media speculation, fueled by unverified videos and posts circulating since Saturday, portrays Watson as a retired US Army Major with potential ties to intelligence operations, including the CIA. One viral clip claims he served in the US military and was using evangelism as a front for espionage. However, official sources have not substantiated these assertions, describing him solely as a foreign national misusing his stay for unauthorized religious work.
Sainath Ganpati Sarpe, 42: A resident of Gokhivare in Vasai, Palghar district, Sarpe is accused of acting as Watson's local aide, assisting in organizing the event and distributing materials. Little is known publicly about his background, but investigators are probing his prior associations with religious groups.
Manoj Govind Kolha, 35: The village native whose home served as the venue, Kolha is alleged to have facilitated the gathering by inviting neighbors under false pretenses of a community prayer. As a local, he faces additional scrutiny for potentially aiding outsiders in sensitive communal matters.
The accused were apprehended late Friday evening and produced before a local magistrate on Saturday, who remanded them to seven days of police custody for interrogation. Items seized include the vehicle, religious books, and notes with the girls' names.
Legal Charges and Police Probe
The FIR invokes a multi-pronged legal assault, blending new criminal codes with state-specific safeguards:
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 302 (words or acts with deliberate intent to wound religious sentiments).
Foreigners Act, 1946: Section 14, for visa misuse by Watson.
Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013: Invoked for the fraudulent healing claims, which authorities classify as exploitative "black magic" preying on the gullible.
Senior Inspector Harshavardhan Barve of the Bhiwandi taluka police station led the operation and provided key insights: “We have booked the three accused under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, provisions of the Foreigners Act (for misusing visa norms), and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.” He added, “Watson had come to India on a business visa, which he was misusing for religious activity. Further probe is on to check if they have conducted similar events elsewhere.”
As of Monday, October 6, the investigation has expanded. Police are scrutinizing Watson's travel history, financial trails, and communications for evidence of a larger racket. No actual conversions were reported from this event, but villagers have been interviewed to rule out prior inducements. The US Embassy in New Delhi has been informed, though no official statement has been issued.
Community Backlash and Broader Implications
The arrest has reverberated through Chimbipada and beyond, with villagers expressing relief but also outrage. Local Hindu leaders have called for stricter monitoring of foreign visitors in rural areas, citing this as emblematic of "cultural infiltration." On X (formerly Twitter), the story exploded over the weekend, amassing thousands of views. Posts ranged from factual recaps—"58-year-old US national James Watson... arrested for running an illegal religious conversion racket under the guise of curing illnesses"—to conspiracy-laden theories alleging CIA involvement: "Authorities suspect possible #CIA links as investigations continue." One thread highlighted viral arrest footage, while another questioned, "Whom to blame here??" for the locals' involvement.
This incident fits into a pattern of heightened vigilance against alleged forced conversions in India. Maharashtra's 2013 anti-superstition law, enacted after high-profile cases of exploitative rituals, has been instrumental in over 100 convictions since its inception. Nationally, similar busts—like the recent arrest of a self-styled "Baba" in Uttar Pradesh for a conversion-linked money laundering scheme—reflect the government's zero-tolerance stance under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced colonial-era laws last year.
Critics, including some Christian advocacy groups, argue that such laws can stifle legitimate evangelism, but police maintain the focus remains on coercion and fraud. As Thane rural police assure the public of measures to preserve communal harmony, the case serves as a stark reminder of the tensions at the intersection of faith, foreign policy, and folklore in modern India. Updates are expected as the probe unfolds, with potential diplomatic ripples if Watson's background proves more complex than meets the eye.
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