Durg: Nationwide outrage continues to mount following the arrest of two Keralite Catholic nuns and a tribal woman from Chhattisgarh on controversial charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. Families of the women at the center of the case have now broken their silence, categorically denying police claims and condemning the arrests as “politically motivated and baseless.”
Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, along with Sukaman Mandavi a tribal woman from Narayanpur were apprehended by authorities on July 25 from Durg railway station. The arrest stemmed from a complaint lodged by Ravi Nigam, an active member of the right-wing Bajrang Dal, who alleged that the women were being transported to Agra for conversion under the pretext of employment.
However, speaking to national media outlets, relatives of two of the detained women have refuted these allegations. According to them, the women were willingly accompanying the nuns to Agra for a legitimate nursing job opportunity, not for any religious activity.
“Our parents passed away years ago. I know the sisters personally because I have worked with them in Lucknow. I sent my younger sister with them so she could have a dignified livelihood in Agra,” said the elder sibling of one of the women. She added that her family had embraced Christianity over five years ago and the decision to travel was purely career-oriented.
Another relative echoed this stance, stating, “She left for work on her own accord on July 24. There was no coercion. These arrests are unjustified and have been orchestrated to target minorities.”
In an important development, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria confirmed that all three families submitted written statements on July 26, testifying that their daughters had voluntarily chosen to travel for employment. Despite these testimonies, railway police authorities maintain that they are still collecting evidence and that the investigation remains ongoing.
The arrests have triggered widespread demonstrations in Delhi, Kerala, and several parts of Chhattisgarh. Faith-based groups, human rights activists, Church leaders, and political representatives have vociferously condemned the police action.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a strongly worded statement, accusing the authorities of acting under political duress and targeting innocent religious workers. “This is a deeply troubling misuse of the legal system to intimidate and falsely implicate members of the Christian community. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the nuns and others involved,” the statement read.
Christian leaders and organizations have expressed concern over the increasing misuse of anti-conversion laws to target nuns and social workers. Many have warned that such incidents further polarize communities and stigmatize social outreach efforts by religious institutions.
As protests intensify and facts continue to surface, the case has turned into a flashpoint for discussions around religious freedom, human rights, and the politicization of law enforcement.