New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has voiced strong disapproval over the rejection of bail for two nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of religious conversion and human trafficking. Labeling the arrest as unjust and the prolonged detention as unwarranted, the CBCI emphasized the innocence of the nuns and called for a swift resolution through legal recourse.
The response comes in the wake of a magistrate court’s decision to deny bail to Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, both members of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation. Expressing grave concern, CBCI officials said that there was no justification for keeping the nuns in custody, especially when there was no substantial evidence to support the accusations.
“We are deeply dissatisfied with the manner in which the case is being prolonged without bail. The nuns are innocent and have committed no crime,” a CBCI spokesperson said. “It is troubling that such baseless allegations have been entertained to this extent.”
The CBCI has announced plans to escalate the matter legally, confirming that a fresh bail application will be filed in the sessions court on Tuesday. Sources within the Church expressed hope that the higher court would act fairly and uphold the rights of the arrested nuns. The CBCI legal team is coordinating closely with advocates in Chhattisgarh to expedite the process.
The controversy stems from the arrest of Sister Preethi Mary from Elavoor parish in Angamaly and Sister Vandana Francis from Udayagiri parish in Kannur, Thalassery. Both were detained in Durg, Chhattisgarh on Saturday, after Bajrang Dal activists intercepted them at a railway station, alleging that they were involved in coercive conversion and human trafficking.
At the time of arrest, the two nuns were traveling with three young women aged 19 to 22 from Narayanpur district. According to the Church and family sources, the girls were on their way to begin work at a hospital run by the religious congregation. Each of them carried written parental consent and valid identification documents. The girls had also stated to the police that they were already practicing Christians and had not been forced into any religious practice.
Despite this, the police proceeded with the arrest, allegedly influenced by pressure from Bajrang Dal members. “Even after the girls clarified their intentions and produced proof of parental consent, neither the vigilante group nor the police showed willingness to verify the facts,” a CBCI official said.
The incident has sparked outrage among Christian communities across India, with protests and condemnations pouring in from Church leaders, political representatives, and human rights organizations. The arrest is widely seen as a part of a growing pattern of targeting religious minorities under the pretext of anti-conversion laws.
The CBCI reiterated its commitment to securing justice for the nuns and demanded that authorities act impartially and uphold constitutional freedoms. “The denial of bail is not just a legal issue it is a reflection of the deepening hostility towards religious minorities in certain regions. The Church stands with our sisters in prayer and action, and we will pursue all avenues to ensure their release and dignity,” the statement concluded.