In a case that has created a political and social stir across the country, a special NIA court in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh has granted bail with certain conditions to two Catholic nuns from Kerala and a tribal youth who were charged with serious charges of human trafficking and forced conversion. The three were arrested based on a complaint by a Bajrang Dal activist when they were taking three tribal girls to Agra and were caught at Durg railway station. The incident has been sharply criticized by opposition parties and the Christian community, terming it an action against minorities. The court’s decision is being seen as a limited relief amid widespread public outrage and ongoing legal process.
A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh has granted bail to two Catholic nuns from Kerala and a tribal youth with certain conditions. All three were detained on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion. The verdict was pronounced on Saturday by Principal District and Sessions Judge Sirajuddin Qureshi, who had reserved his decision on Friday after hearing the arguments of the prosecution and the defence.
The arrested include Preethi Mary, Vandana Francis from Kerala and a local tribal Sukaman Mandavi. They were arrested by the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Durg railway station on July 25. The action was taken on the complaint of a Bajrang Dal member, who said that the three were allegedly taking three tribal girls from Narayanpur district to Agra for the purpose of conversion.
After the arrest, they were sent to judicial custody, and the case was handed over to the NIA court in Bilaspur. The incident has created political stir across the country, including Kerala. Opposition parties have termed it as action against minorities. Congress MPs raised the issue in Parliament, and on Friday, an AICC delegation from Kerala, including Hibi Eden and Kodikunnil Suresh, visited Raipur to meet the nuns and express support.
Several Christian organisations in Kerala have also strongly condemned the arrests, calling them a political conspiracy and an attack on missionary work in tribal areas.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Gopa Kumar mentioned, “A case of human trafficking was registered under BNS section 143. We argued that this section cannot be applied to the case. So, the court has granted bail today. They cannot go out of India and a bail bond of Rs 50000 each needs to be furnished. The bail will be granted in a few hours.”
After the arrest, they were sent to judicial custody, and the case was handed over to the NIA court in Bilaspur. The incident has created political stir across the country, including Kerala. Opposition parties have termed it as action against minorities. Congress MPs raised the issue in Parliament, and on Friday, an AICC delegation from Kerala, including Hibi Eden and Kodikunnil Suresh, visited Raipur to meet the nuns and express support.
Several Christian organisations in Kerala have also strongly condemned the arrests, calling them a political conspiracy and an attack on missionary work in tribal areas.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Gopa Kumar mentioned, “A case of human trafficking was registered under BNS section 143. We argued that this section cannot be applied to the case. So, the court has granted bail today. They cannot go out of India and a bail bond of Rs 50000 each needs to be furnished. The bail will be granted in a few hours.”
