The Maharashtra prison department has transferred Beed district jail superintendent Petrus Gaikwad to Nagpur, effective immediately, amid allegations of forced religious conversion and ill-treatment of inmates.

Advocate Rahul Aghav, representing four inmates, made the accusations against Gaikwad, claiming that he was luring inmates into religious conversion and even threatening them to accept Christianity. Aghav stated that despite Gaikwad's controversial record, the prison administration continues to protect him. He alleged that three Hindu inmates and one Muslim inmate under his representation were promised release from their cases if they converted to Christianity. They were also allegedly offered money, houses, and vehicles as incentives. According to Aghav, the inmates were threatened with being poisoned if they refused to convert. He added that forcing conversions is illegal, yet such acts are reportedly taking place inside the prison itself. Aghav said he has already lodged a complaint via email and will soon submit a written complaint to senior prison authorities, along with plans to take legal action in court.

MLA Gopichand Padalkar also accused Superintendent Gaikwad of engaging in religious conversion activities and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene.

Gaikwad's past includes serious controversies, including a suspension while serving at Jalgaon Prison after being charged in a murder case. During his current tenure in Beed, four cases have reportedly been registered after inmates were found in possession of mobile phones and narcotics. Advocate Aghav has demanded immediate disciplinary action against the officer.

These allegations come amidst growing concerns about forced conversions in Maharashtra. In January 2025, reports surfaced of more than 200 forced conversions in the town of Daund, Pune district, with an Islamic conversion mafia allegedly active in the area. Concerns have also been raised by Sindhi immigrants from Pakistan, who have sought an anti-conversion law in Maharashtra, citing attempts at forced conversion.

In light of these concerns, the Maharashtra government formed a seven-member panel in February 2025 to look into complaints of "love jihad" and fraudulent or forced conversions. The committee is tasked with studying the existing situation in Maharashtra, examining legal aspects, studying existing laws in other states, and making recommendations as per the law.

In a separate incident, in early October 2025, a 58-year-old American, James Watson, along with two Indians, was arrested in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, for allegedly conducting illegal religious conversions. Authorities allege the trio claimed embracing Christianity could cure illnesses and bring prosperity.