Civil rights bodies, Christian groups flay ‘murder drama’ enacted by self-styled pastor

Civil rights organisations and Christian groups have strongly condemned the alleged “murder attempt drama” staged by self‑styled pastor Abhinay Darshan in Niruthotapalem village, Chintapalli Mandal, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday (May 18, 2026)

In a statement, Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII) national president and former IPS officer K. Babu Rao described the incident as “highly dangerous to society,” warning that such acts create panic, communal tension, hatred, and misinformation, disturbing religious harmony for personal publicity and vested interests.

A CRII fact‑finding team visited the hospital, interacted with Darshan, examined viral social media content, and gathered information from local sources. The team found no credible evidence of any organised attack, armed assailants, or conspiracy. CRII concluded that the episode was deliberately exaggerated to gain sympathy and publicity, damaging the image of genuine Christian ministries and creating unnecessary fear among communities.

Mr. Babu Rao appreciated the prompt intervention of ASR District Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar, whose action prevented the spread of misinformation and protected communal peace. CRII expressed concern over the growing activities of fake pastors misusing Christianity for financial exploitation and personal enrichment, bringing disrepute to the faith.

CRII national joint secretary Pulugujju urged police to closely monitor and investigate fraudulent religious activities, stressing strict action to safeguard innocent believers and maintain social harmony.

The Andhra Pradesh Christian Leaders Forum (APCLF), based in Visakhapatnam, also issued a statement. Its chairman Oliver Ravi demanded stringent police action and exemplary legal proceedings against Darshan, who claims to lead the so‑called Citizen Protection Force. APCLF leaders described the incident as a “well‑planned hoax” aimed at gaining cheap publicity, creating communal tension in tribal areas, and misleading both the Christian community and the general public. Mr. Ravi called for a thorough probe to prevent similar attempts in the future.

The Telangana United Christians and Pastor Association (TUCPA) also reacted strongly. General secretary Goneh Solomon Raju said such individuals misuse religion for selfish purposes and bring disrepute to the Christian faith. He appealed to the Christian community and the public to remain alert against fraudulent operators.

Together, CRII, APCLF, and TUCPA have demanded accountability and strict legal action, warning that fabricated incidents like the alleged “murder drama” threaten communal harmony and exploit vulnerable communities.