MP EOW to probe if money allegedly misappropriated by bishop was used for religious conversion: Shivraj Chouhan

After the Madhya Pradesh Economic Offences Wing found alleged misappropriation of funds by a bishop in Jabalpur and recovered cash from his house, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it will be probed whether the money was being used for religious conversion or any other illegal activity.

The EOW conducted searches at the house of P C Singh, the bishop of the Churchof North India Jabalpur Diocese, on Thursday morning following registration of a case of cheating against him. The agency had last month registered the case after he was accused of financial misconduct while running an educational society of which he is the chairman, officials have said.

During the searches, Rs 1.65 crore in cash, 18,342 US dollars, 118 UK Pound besides 48 bank accounts and documents of 17 properties among other assets, Chouhan said on Friday following a meeting related to the development.

''Irregularities and frauds have come to the fore on a large scale. The state government will get it investigated whether the money was being used for illegal purposes. It will also be investigated if the money was being used for religious conversions and other illegal works through the trust,'' he said.