Thane conversion case: High Court seeks police reply, allows US man to pursue bail

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday said it will require a formal reply from Thane police before deciding on allegations of illegal arrest brought forward by American businessman James Leonard Watson. Watson was taken into police custody on 3 October 2025 over claims of religious conversion. Meanwhile, the court noted that Watson could pursue his bail plea, which has been filed in the trial court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad issued notice to the Thane police, instructing them to respond to allegations that Watson was not informed of the grounds for his arrest when taken into custody.

“The bail application filed on behalf of the petitioner is listed before the trial court. Let the bail application be decided on its own merits notwithstanding the pendency of this writ petition challenging the arrest of the petitioner as illegal,” the bench said in its order. The court will further hear Watson’s plea challenging the arrest on 11 November.

According to the petition, Watson was taken into police custody around 11.30am on 3 October and brought to the Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station. However, the First Information Report (FIR) was lodged only at 12.27am on 4 October, and he was formally arrested at 2.01am the same day, being listed as Accused No 2.

The plea claimed that Watson was not informed of the reasons for his arrest, nor was a copy of the FIR provided to him or his counsel until 6 October. Addressing this aspect, the court observed, “This might be something in your favour, but a reply is necessary,” before issuing notice to the police.

Watson remains in judicial custody until 17 October, with his bail plea scheduled for hearing in the trial court. He was arrested under multiple laws, including the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The upcoming Diwali court vacation, spanning two weeks, is expected to delay proceedings, with only vacation benches functioning during this period.

Watson, through his wife Tracey Garrett Watson, approached the high court seeking interim release. According to the petition, Watson was in India on a business visa (B-2) and resides in Thane with his wife. On 3 October, he had been invited by members of the Christian community in the Bhiwandi area to their residence for a prayer meeting.

The petition claims that, to further his political ambitions, the complainant, who is not a resident of the Bhiwandi village, trespassed on private property and forcibly removed Watson. The complaint alleged that the preachers criticised Hinduism, claimed there is no God except the Christian God, and were attempting to convert people.

Additionally, the Passport Act was invoked during the proceedings, as Watson’s passport was with the US Consulate General for renewal at the time of the incident.

- Ends