Maharashtra Church Building Demolished Amid Pending Court Hearing

Maharashtra Church Building Demolished Amid Court Proceedings A church building in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra, was demolished by local authorities on September 7, 2026, while members of the congregation said they were awaiting a court hearing concerning a request to stay the demolition. The Jesus Is Lord Church (JILC), located in the Kalewadi area and operating under the Jesus Is Lord Church Trust, was demolished during the early hours of September 7. According to church representatives, a large police presence and heavy machinery were deployed during the operation. Church representative Jean Silway said the congregation had been informed that the structure was considered unauthorized and that the property was located within a designated flood-zone area. She also said the church had been involved in legal proceedings for more than a year and that a hearing concerning the demolition was scheduled for September 7. According to the church's account, the hearing had initially been scheduled for September 4 but was postponed because of a holiday. The church building was demolished before the rescheduled hearing could take place. The Silway family said they had previously obtained a temporary stay order, but their subsequent legal plea was rejected. The property had been purchased by Pastor Paul Silway and his wife in 2000. The family later constructed a compound wall and temporary structure, with church services beginning in 2008. Church representatives said the congregation had continued worship services at the location for many years. The authorities' action was connected to concerns regarding construction in a flood-zone area. Church representatives, however, questioned why other nearby structures remained standing while the church building was demolished. They also referred to earlier reports concerning the delayed demarcation of flood lines in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area. Jean Silway said church members were given only a short period to leave the building before the demolition. She alleged that equipment and other belongings, including an LED screen and surveillance cameras, were damaged or lost during the operation. She added that the congregation was prepared to comply with a final court decision. The church had also faced complaints and legal proceedings following an incident in April. According to the report, a visitor entered a worship service and began taking photographs, leading to a confrontation outside the church. Church representatives said people associated with Hindu nationalist organizations subsequently gathered outside the premises. Complaints were later filed alleging that the church had used claims of miraculous healing to encourage religious conversion. A First Information Report was registered against Pastor Kenneth Silway and others under Maharashtra's law concerning human sacrifice, inhuman practices and alleged black magic. The church representatives disputed some of the allegations and questioned the involvement of individuals named in the complaints. Further proceedings followed after a June worship service at another JILC location. The report states that complaints were made against Kenneth Silway, including allegations connected with public order and practices prohibited under Maharashtra law. Additional charges were also reported under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The church demolition has also become part of a wider discussion among Christian leaders in Maharashtra concerning religious freedom and the state's Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. The legislation received presidential assent on July 30, according to the report. In August, the Pune Christian Forum organized a peaceful demonstration in Pune concerning what Christian representatives described as the misuse of the new law. More than 500 Christian representatives reportedly participated. A memorandum was submitted to government and police officials, calling for legal review, safeguards against false complaints and clearer distinctions between ordinary religious activities and allegations of unlawful conversion. Christian leaders have expressed concern that complaints under religious-conversion laws could affect churches and Christian ministers. These concerns represent the views of the Christian organizations and leaders quoted in the report and are not presented as a judicial finding. The demolition has therefore raised questions involving municipal regulations, flood-zone restrictions, ongoing legal proceedings and religious-freedom concerns. The church's representatives maintain that they were treated unfairly, while the reported municipal basis for the demolition concerns the legality and location of the structure. The case remains significant for the local Christian community because it involves both the loss of a place of worship and continuing discussions about how building regulations, court procedures and religious-freedom protections should be applied.