Chhattisgarh Court Grants Bail to Two Kerala Nuns in Human Trafficking-Conversion Case
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has granted conditional bail to two Kerala-based Catholic nuns, Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, along with a co-accused, Sukaman Mandavi. The trio was arrested on July 25, 2025, at Durg railway station following allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion of three tribal women from Narayanpur district.
Details of the Bail Order
The bail was granted after the judge observed there was no necessity for custody during the ongoing investigation.
Bail conditions require the accused to surrender their passports and cooperate fully with the investigation.
They must not influence witnesses or attempt to interfere with the probe.
The accused are barred from leaving the country while the case proceeds.
Background of the Case
The FIR was lodged under sections of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, based on a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal activist.
The complaint accused the nuns of forcibly converting three adult tribal women practicing Christianity and attempting to traffic them under the guise of providing nursing training and jobs.
The accused deny allegations, stating the alleged victims are adults engaged in voluntary religious practice.
Legal and Political Context
The prosecution opposed bail, emphasizing that the case is in the early stages of investigation.
The arrests have sparked political debates, with opposition parties criticizing the move as politically motivated and framed around religious persecution claims.
Chhattisgarh’s ruling party leadership insists the case should be allowed to proceed without political interference, describing it as a legitimate law enforcement matter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bail Granted to Kerala Nuns in Chhattisgarh Case
Q1: Who were the Kerala nuns granted bail by the Chhattisgarh court?
Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis are the two nuns granted bail along with Sukaman Mandavi.
Q2: What are the charges against them?
They face allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion under state laws.
Q3: What conditions did the court impose for their bail?
The nuns must surrender their passports, cooperate in the investigation, refrain from influencing witnesses, and cannot leave the country.
Q4: When and where were they arrested?
They were arrested on July 25, 2025, at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh.
Q5: What triggered the case against them?
A complaint by a local Bajrang Dal member alleging forcible conversion and trafficking of three tribal women from Narayanpur.
Q6: How has the case affected politics?
The case has led to political controversy with opposition parties alleging misuse of law, while the ruling party calls for an independent investigation without interference.
Published on: August 2, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
www.vizzve.com || www.vizzveservices.com
Follow us on social media: Facebook || Linkedin || Instagram
🛡 Powered by Vizzve Financial
RBI-Registered Loan Partner | 10 Lakh+ Customers | ₹600 Cr+ Disbursed