Overview
- Thane Rural Police arrested James Watson, 58, with Sainath Sarape and Manoj Kolha on October 4 after a Chimbipada prayer meeting where baptisms and claims of miracle healing were alleged.
- The three are booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions related to outraging religious feelings, Maharashtra’s anti‑superstition law, and the Foreigners Act for suspected visa misuse.
- After initial police custody, a court ordered judicial custody as investigators record village statements and trace Watson’s visits and contacts.
- Police say they are examining possible funding routes or organized links; media reports citing unnamed intelligence sources describe a potential foreign “conversion toolkit,” which remains unverified.
- Watson’s wife has denied the allegations, calling them false, and says the family plans defamation action with their position to be presented in court.