Raipur: In a crucial legal development, the bail plea for Keralite Catholic nuns Sr. Preeti Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis currently lodged in judicial custody in Chhattisgarh is set to be filed before the Chhattisgarh High Court today. Their legal counsel has chosen to bypass the special NIA court route, citing the complexity and delay associated with such proceedings.
This move comes a day after the Sessions Court rejected their bail plea, siding with the prosecution’s argument that charges under the human trafficking section fall under the National Investigation Agency’s purview. The court’s decision has added further urgency to the legal battle, with widespread calls for justice echoing across the country.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly sought a detailed explanation from the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister regarding the circumstances surrounding the nuns' arrest and the rationale behind the denial of bail. Sources indicate that Shah has also brought the issue to the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following representations from Members of Parliament and escalating nationwide protests.
The Prime Minister’s Office is believed to have forwarded the MPs’ complaint to the Home Ministry for urgent review. With Christian communities intensifying their protests and civil society rallying in support, the BJP now finds itself on the defensive, particularly in states with significant Christian populations.
The arrested nuns, members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate Congregation, were taken into custody last Friday under contentious circumstances while traveling with a group of young girls. Accusations of religious conversion and human trafficking were swiftly leveled against them, triggering nationwide outrage, especially in Kerala.
In a show of solidarity, family members of the nuns have reached Chhattisgarh, accompanied by Congress MLAs Roji M. John and Sajeev Joseph, who are actively working to ensure legal assistance and public advocacy. Notably, BJP State General Secretary Anoop Antony has also joined the efforts to secure their release, highlighting bipartisan concern over the arrests.
The arrests have ignited protests from Christian churches and human rights organizations, who see this as part of an alarming pattern of minority persecution through the misuse of legal provisions. Peaceful demonstrations, social media campaigns, and petitions most notably one on Change.org that has already garnered over 60,000 signatures are gaining traction.
Legal experts suggest today’s filing in the High Court will be a decisive moment in the fight for justice. The case is being closely watched as a test of constitutional rights, the integrity of legal processes, and the government’s commitment to religious freedom.
As the nation awaits the High Court’s response, the arrest of the two Keralite nuns has become symbolic of deeper societal concerns where faith, law, and politics collide in a fragile democratic space.