- 05 August, 2025
New Delhi, July 31, 2025: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured a delegation of United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs from Kerala that appropriate action will be taken to secure the bail of two Malayali Catholic nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of alleged forced religious conversion and human trafficking during a meeting with them on Wednesday noon. The MPs expressed optimism following the meeting, stating that Shah acknowledged serious lapses in the arrest and subsequent court proceedings.
The meeting, held on Wednesday at 12 noon, came after widespread political outrage and protest, with several Kerala leaders including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi seeking intervention from the Central government. Ahead of the discussion, Shah reportedly sought details of the incident from the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and also discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah informed the MPs that the Centre would extend all possible help to ensure the nuns—Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis—are granted bail. The two were arrested at Durg railway station last week and have since been in jail for six consecutive days. Their arrest has provoked strong condemnation and led to a protest march outside Parliament led by Kerala MPs and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
UDF MPs N.K. Premachandran, Benny Behanan, and Francis George, who had earlier visited the nuns in Durg jail, reiterated their demand for justice. They also called for registering a case against Bajrang Dal activists accused of attacking the nuns, and urged the Centre to take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
The MPs also voiced concerns over the manner in which the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) without completing standard legal procedures. They alleged that there may be a conspiracy behind transferring the case to the NIA court, bypassing due process. The Home Minister, according to the MPs, acknowledged procedural lapses and confirmed that steps would be taken accordingly.
The Durg sessions court dismissed the nuns’ initial bail plea, citing lack of jurisdiction in cases related to human trafficking. Legal advice had earlier cautioned the NIA against approaching the court, leading the nuns to decide to file a fresh bail application before the Chhattisgarh High Court.
In Parliament, MPs K.C. Venugopal and K. Suresh raised the issue during Zero Hour, calling the arrest “deeply disturbing and shocking.” Venugopal alleged the charges were false and described the ongoing detention as cruelty. “These two nuns have been in jail for the last five days without any reason. What cruelty is this? If the government does not act now, the situation will spiral out of control,” he warned.
As legal proceedings continue, the political spotlight remains firmly on the case, with UDF leaders hoping Thursday’s scheduled meeting with Shah will lead to swift action and justice for the arrested nuns.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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