9 september 2024 : Jordan Masih, the individual accused of attempting to sell the historic Golaknath Memorial Church in Jalandhar for a significantly low price, has a history of similar fraudulent activities involving churches across North India. According to the Jalandhar police, Masih, who was apprehended for attempting to sell the church in Adarsh Nagar, is also implicated in similar cases in Saharanpur and Ferozepur.
An FIR was lodged against Jordan Masih and his accomplice, Mary Wilson, by the Jalandhar police at the Navi Baradari police station on Saturday evening. The complaint was filed by Pastor Sarwan Masih, a member of the United Church of Northern India Trust Association, which oversees the Golaknath Memorial Church, also known as the CNI Church.
Masih had negotiated a Rs 5-crore deal for the 24-kanal church property and had accepted a token advance of Rs 5 lakh. Church members, while expressing gratitude for the police’s swift action, voiced concerns about Masih’s broader pattern of targeting church properties across North India.
Dr. Amit Prakash, Secretary of the Diocese of Chandigarh Church of North India, stated, “Jordan Masih attempted to execute a land registry and accepted Rs 5 lakh. We appreciate the police’s efforts and hope for his swift arrest.” He also noted that a gang has been targeting Church of North India (CNI) properties, forging documents, and impersonating trust members to sell the land. Masih, a resident of Ludhiana, is not a CNI Church member despite his claims.
The diocese also highlighted Masih’s involvement in cases in Saharanpur and Ferozepur. Regarding the potential involvement of insiders, the diocese secretary indicated that while this is under investigation, it is clear that this gang’s activities are not isolated incidents.
ACP Bharat Masih reported that Jordan Masih has multiple cases against him for targeting church lands and that Mary Wilson was his accomplice. Further investigation is underway to uncover more of their activities.
Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma assured that all leads are being followed and that efforts are ongoing to arrest the accused soon.