(a) On September 10, Pastor Haroon Jonathan was arrested on accusations of "hurting religious sentiments" and "forced conversion" (for more details click here). According to Compass Direct, police had promised Haroon that he would be released on bail on October 16, but they have reneged on that agreement. In order for him to obtain bail, police have to file formal charges, which they did not do before the courts shut down for an October 18-October 26 Hindu festival. It is not yet known when the charges are scheduled to formally be filed.
(b) On October 27, Karnel Nayak, pastor of the Good Shepherd Community Church in Manikeswari, Orissa, was released on bail after two months, according to the All India Christian Council. Nayak had been falsely accused of rape by some disgruntled church members, who also instigated the destruction of Pastor Nayak's home (for more information, click here).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.
Population
