Christian couple Jose and Sheeja Pappachan, who were convicted of attempted conversion and sentenced to five years in prison in Uttar Pradesh, India, were released on bail on 19 February.

The couple were sentenced to five years imprisonment and fines of 25,000 rupees each under the state’s Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act on 22 January, however they were granted bail by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on 5 and 6 February. 

According to a local source, this is the first reported case of conviction under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law, and there are currently at least 80 Christians in prison in the state facing the same charges. 

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘While CSW is glad that Jose and Sheeja Pappachan were granted bail so soon after their conviction, the couple will have to continue to fight for their acquittal. In many cases this process can take years due to the poorly defined nature of these laws, often prolonging the suffering of those who have been falsely accused. CSW calls on authorities in Uttar Pradesh to take swift action to process the cases of all those currently facing charges of forced conversion, and ultimately to acquit them in recognition of the unconstitutionality of the anti-conversion law.’