The family of a British church leader who’s been accused of trying to convert Hindus to Christianity are considering legal action against the Indian police.

Pankaj Devnoor from Manchester is a member of the Anglican Episcopal Church International and was in India to attend the anniversary of a church in Pune.

He was arrested during a church service after a rickshaw driver told police he believed he was a missionary intent on carrying out religious conversion.

Under his immigration status he was permitted to attend services, but not allowed to preach without permission.

The 50 year old was charged under Maharashtra state’s Freedom of Religion Act which is part of India’s strict new anti-conversion law. However, it has emerged the law wasn’t in force at the time of Devnoor’s arrest and he’s now been granted bail. The anti-conversion charges have been dropped, but he may be subject to further court action under other laws, including breaching immigration rules.

The pastor’s family say they fear for his safety because his name and address have been widely circulated in the India media and they’ve launched a fundraiser to support his legal defence and help bring him back to the UK.

The family told The Independent the case had caused Mr Devnoor “acute mental and emotional stress” and financial hardship.

Hi son Punit said his father had previously served a ministry in the Church of England and visited the sick in NHS hospitals: “My father has given much of his life to serving others".

He added that the situation was “very scary. Our priority is making sure he comes back home safe. That's the first thing, and then after that, we’ll see what needs to be done.”