Listeners:
Top listeners:
-
play_arrow
India’s Famed Evangelist Pagadala Found Dead
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – Pastor Praveen Pagadala, one of India’s most well-known Christian evangelists, has been found dead under alleged suspicious circumstances in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, Worthy News learned Wednesday. He was 46.
The body of the preacher was discovered March 25 in a roadside ditch, a day after he left on his motorbike to attend a Christian convention at Chagallu village near the city of Rajahmundry, said Christians familiar with the situation.
While police classified the incident “as a road accident,” supporters of the late pastor claimed his death was a “premeditated, cold-blooded murder.”
They suggested the pastor had been “martyred by religious extremists” due to his outspoken defense of Christianity in India, a mainly Hindu nation.
The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), the influential Indian National Congress party’s regional representation, also expressed concern.
APCC President Y S Sharmila alleged that pastor Pagadala’s death was a “meticulously planned murder” and not a road accident.
Christians noticed that his motorbike was found on top of his dead body, and his face was mangled with bruises and blood.
NO INJURY MARKS
They argued that there were no other injury marks on the rest of his body. Even the motorbike, a powerful 350cc two-wheeler, did not have any tangible damages akin to a road accident, according to investigators.
A distinctive shoe mark was reportedly discovered on the right chest of his shirt, suggesting he may have been kicked forcefully.
Additionally, wood splinters were found near the site, accompanied by blood stains, raising further suspicion about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, directed police “to conduct a detailed inquiry” into the death of pastor Pagadala, Worthy News established.
The order came as nearly 100,000 people attended the funeral possession of Pagadala in Hyderabad, the capital of the neighboring Indian state of Telangana, where he had been preaching as well, according to Christian estimates.
The advocacy group International Christian Concern wasn’t surprised by this massive outpouring of support for the late pastor and his family.
“He was a great Christian scholar and the founder of “Sakshi Apologetics.” He held public debates on television with leaders of all major religions and always established Christianity as the truth with his strong research and study,” ICC explained. “He was also a kind-hearted person who was involved in extensive social work among orphans and the downtrodden. He also preached on Christian TV channels and spoke to many churches in the area.”
STILL PRAISING GOD
Pastor Praveen is survived by his wife and two young children. “I praise God for what he is or was,” said his wife, Jessica Praveen, in emotionally charged remarks seen by Worthy News.
“I am very proud of the ministry he did. And now me, my family, and everybody here has to continue the ministry that he has shown us,” she said.
In separate remarks, she spoke against revenge. “Let us forgive as Jesus forgives.”
Yet his death highlighted concerns about the growing pressure on devoted Christians across India, Christian leaders suggested.
“We cannot let the life of such a powerful voice in the Christian community end under a cloud of suspicion. The truth must come out,” Evangelist K.A. Paul told journalists.
Pastor V. David Naveen, who joined a protest near the hospital where the late pastor’s body had been, said the death of a pastor “under mysterious circumstances is a blow to the image of communal harmony in the region.”
Christians comprise roughly 2.3 percent of India’s predominantly Hindu population of 1.4 billion people, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a renewed foreign surveillance authority, advancing a key national security measure while exposing deep divisions within Republican ranks. The legislation, known as the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act, passed in a bipartisan 235-191 vote and now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has developed plans for a “short and powerful” wave of military strikes against Iran, as tensions continue to escalate and nuclear negotiations remain deadlocked, according to reports cited by Axios.
Britain’s King Charles III has told the U.S. Congress that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States remain united in defending democracy.
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for stock manipulation and bribery, with her legal team saying she will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
Tensions along Israel’s northern border intensified Wednesday as Israeli forces and Hezbollah exchanged fire, underscoring the fragility of a supposed ceasefire. Israeli military leadership made clear that, on the ground, active combat operations are still underway.
Two Jewish men were seriously wounded in a knife attack in north London, in what authorities are calling a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community. The assault took place in Golders Green, a neighborhood with a significant Jewish population, intensifying concerns over a growing wave of antisemitic violence across Britain.
Iran’s economy is rapidly deteriorating under the strain of war, with more than one million people out of work and inflation soaring to crippling levels. According to The Wall Street Journal, another million jobs have been indirectly affected, as businesses shut down and supply chains collapse across the country.
WHO WE ARE
The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.
CONTACT
- +1 908 280-4246
- Essex County, USA
- info@tnjrfm.com