Chhattisgarh Court Grants Bail to Kerala Nuns amid Controversy over Conversion Allegations
Two Kerala nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of forced conversion and trafficking were granted bail by a special court in Bilaspur. The women allegedly being trafficked denied any coercion, stating they were Christians seeking job opportunities with parental consent.
Two Catholic nuns from Kerala, arrested last week in Chhattisgarh on charges of forced religious conversion and human trafficking, were granted bail on Saturday by a special court in Bilaspur. The development comes amid growing controversy and political reactions across the country.
Sisters Preethi and Vandana, members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) congregation in Cherthala, Kerala, walked free from Durg Central Jail after the special court of Principal District and Sessions Judge (NIA court) Sirajuddin Qureshi approved their bail applications, along with that of co-accused Sukaman Mandavi.
The court directed the accused to surrender their passports and not leave the country as part of the bail conditions. Each was ordered to submit a bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties and to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
The two nuns were taken into custody at Durg Railway Station last week based on a complaint lodged by a Bajrang Dal activist, who alleged that they were forcibly converting and trafficking three young women from Narayanpur. However, the women in question later stated to authorities that they were already members of the Christian community. They also clarified they were traveling for nursing job opportunities and had the written consent of their parents.
On August 1, defence counsel argued that there was no evidence to substantiate the charges of forced conversion or trafficking, asserting that the arrests were unjustified.
The case has triggered strong reactions from Christian organizations and civil society groups, who have condemned the arrests as a violation of religious freedom and human rights. The incident has also stirred political debate, particularly in Kerala, where several leaders and Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar were present outside Durg Jail to receive the released nuns.
The matter continues to be under investigation, with legal and political implications still unfolding.
