India, April 10 -- A UK-based pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a man during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.

According to reports, 61-year-old Robert Smith, a resident of Brixton in south London, died by drowning while being baptised at a private address in Erdington, Birmingham. The ceremony was conducted by 48-year-old Cheryl Bartley.

In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised charges against Bartley in connection with the incident.

"We have decided to prosecute Cheryl Bartley, 48, with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during a baptism," said Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS.

"This ...