Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 14 (IANS): Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Friday sought immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for release of Kerala Catholic priest Benoy John, presently in the Jharkhand Police's custody.

In a letter to Modi, Chandy wrote, John attached to the Rajdaha Mission of the diocese of Bhagalpur was taken away by the police alleging his role in forcible conversion.

"We seek your intervention to see that justice is delivered to John who has been falsely accused of indulging in conversion. We feel this is an attack on the minority community by the police and John has been denied of even the basic human rights. Hence, we wish your good office to intervene in this matter," wrote Chandy.

According to the church, on September 6 the Deoghar district police took into custody two priests -- Arun Vincent and John -- and Munna Hansda. While Vincent was let off, John and Hansda have been remanded.