NEW DELHI: Padma Shri Mullankujhil Abraham Thomas, charged with forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity, has moved the Supreme Court seeking pre-arrest bail.

President of the Emmanuel Institute, Kota, Rajasthan, 70-year-old Thomas is facing the charge of allegedly abetting and promoting conversions on religious lines under section124A IPC (sedition) in the BJP-ruled Rajasthan.

The Centre had earlier decorated him for his involvement in promoting the interests of the poor. Thomas' petition comes within a day of the Raje Cabinet's decision to send its controversial Religious Conversion Bill again to state Governor Pratibha Patil for her assent.