Rt. Deputy Collector Arrest: रिटायर्ड महिला डिप्टी कलेक्टर गिरफ्तार, घर में कई लोगों को इकट्ठा कर करवा रही थी धर्मांतरण

In a significant development from Chhattisgarh, authorities in Ambikapur have arrested a retired woman Deputy Collector in connection with an alleged case of religious conversion. The individual has been identified as 66-year-old Omega Toppo, who reportedly adheres to the Christian faith. The arrest comes amidst accusations of her involvement in orchestrating a religious gathering aimed at facilitating conversions.

The allegations against Omega Toppo center around an event held on January 25, 2026, at her residence in the Namanakal locality. It is reported that she organized a 'healing prayer meeting' (Chungai Dharm Sabha) associated with Christianity, during which some individuals were allegedly undergoing religious conversion. This event reportedly drew the attention of local Hindu organizations, whose activists lodged a complaint with the Gandhi Nagar police station. Responding swiftly, police officials arrived at the scene and intervened, bringing an immediate halt to the gathering.

Eyewitnesses and police sources indicate that during the intervention, there was a confrontation between Omega Toppo and the police officers. Toppo reportedly challenged the police action, demanding legal documentation authorizing them to stop the prayer meeting, which she asserted was a lawful assembly.

Following the disruption of the assembly, some attendees, including Omega Toppo, were reportedly taken to the police station for further inquiry. However, in a surprising turn of events, it is alleged that Toppo managed to flee from the police station amidst the crowd and commotion. This prompted a swift search operation by the police to locate her. She was subsequently traced to her home.

The retired Deputy Collector was then arrested from her residence on Wednesday. She has been presented before the court under sections 270 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with section 5(a) of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act. These sections typically pertain to acts endangering life or causing hurt due to negligence, and unlawful conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or by fraudulent means, respectively, under the state's anti-conversion law.

The case initially garnered public attention when a large number of vehicles were observed parked outside Omega Toppo's home. Local residents, upon inquiring, discovered that a Christian 'healing prayer meeting' was underway. This information quickly reached Hindu organizations, leading to immediate public uproar and their subsequent alert to the police. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, a significant gathering was found inside, comprising both Christian adherents and individuals from other religious backgrounds, including Hinduism. It is alleged that some participants were in the process of being converted.

During the initial police intervention at the gathering, Omega Toppo reportedly presented a register to the officers, claiming it contained the names and signatures of all attendees. This register was subsequently confiscated by the police as part of their investigation. Further resistance was encountered as other individuals present at the scene allegedly attempted to obstruct the police from entering and conducting their duties, insisting that any questioning should occur after the conclusion of the assembly.

This incident underscores the ongoing sensitivities surrounding religious conversion in Chhattisgarh, a state that has witnessed similar controversies in the past. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, examining the circumstances of the alleged conversions and the details of the assembly held at the former official's residence. The arrest of a retired government official in such a context is likely to keep the issue in public discourse for some time, highlighting the complexities of religious freedom and public order in the region.