Thiruvananthapuram: Keralite nuns Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary, who were recently released on bail in connection with a forced conversion case in Chhattisgarh, are expected to return to Kerala by the end of this week. The two nuns, currently residing at Rajarai in Delhi, have been granted conditional bail, which mandates them to report to the nearest police station every two weeks.
As per the bail conditions, the nuns are required to present themselves before the police on August 8. Following this routine check-in, both are expected to travel back to their respective homes in Kerala Sister Vandana hailing from Kannur and Sister Preethi from Angamaly. They plan to spend a few days with their families before returning to Chhattisgarh to continue participating in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The religious authorities have clarified that neither nun will be assigned new responsibilities or transferred to another location until the legal case concludes. This decision is aimed at allowing them to focus solely on defending themselves and navigating the judicial process without additional burdens.
Although the court has not placed any restrictions on their movement within India, the nuns are bound to remain in Chhattisgarh for the duration of the legal battle. This comes even as police authorities have yet to take any action on a counter-complaint filed by the women against Bajrang Dal leader Jyoti Sharma and other right-wing activists allegedly involved in acts of intimidation and violence.
Lalitha and Sukhmati, key witnesses in the case, had lodged complaints at Orchha police station, while Kamleshwari filed hers at another jurisdiction. These complaints are reportedly being prepared for transfer to Durg district, where cases are expected to be registered formally.
The lack of action against the accused has drawn criticism from rights groups and Christian organizations, who argue that justice remains one-sided and delayed. The Christian community in Kerala continues to monitor the situation closely, expressing solidarity with the nuns and calling for a fair and unbiased investigation.