Bilaspur: The Bilaspur NIA Special Court, in its bail order for Sisters Vandana Francis and Preethi Mary, observed that the case against the two Catholic nuns lacked merit and was rooted merely in suspicion.
In its statement, the court clarified that the young women accompanying the nuns were indeed Christians by faith and had travelled with the consent of their parents. The order noted that there was no evidence to suggest coercion or illegality in their movement, as was initially alleged. "The young women are Christians. There exists a statement confirming this. Furthermore, it is evident from the case diary that they had their parents' permission to accompany the nuns," the court said.
The court, however, emphasized that it was not delving into the merits of the case but was strictly addressing the question of bail eligibility. It noted that the arrest and charges appeared to stem from presumptive grounds, without substantial evidence supporting the allegation of forced conversion or trafficking.
Granting bail, the court laid down specific conditions:
• Two sureties of ₹50,000 each,
• Surrender of passports, and
• A restriction on leaving the country without prior permission.
This judicial clarity challenges the prosecution’s earlier stance, which argued against bail citing an “ongoing investigation” and alleged attempts at religious conversion. With this ruling, the court underscored that mere suspicion cannot justify incarceration, especially in the absence of prima facie evidence.
The written order, accessed by Manorama News, confirms that the case diary lacked compelling content to deny bail. The court’s decision has brought temporary relief to the accused and their families, while also raising broader questions on the use of anti-conversion laws and their potential for misuse.