Bail Granted Amidst Controversy
In a significant development in the controversial conversion and trafficking case in Chhattisgarh’s Durg, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bilaspur has granted conditional bail to two Catholic nuns from Kerala and a tribal youth from Chhattisgarh. The accused, arrested following allegations of forced conversion and trafficking, were released after depositing a bond of Rs 50,000 each and surrendering their passports. The court’s decision came after it found insufficient grounds to keep them in custody.
Accusations and Arrests
The arrests on July 25 at Durg railway station were prompted by a complaint from the Bajrang Dal, accusing the nuns of forcibly converting three tribal girls from Narayanpur. The swift action by the Durg GRP led to the detention of Preeti Mary, Vandana Francis, and Sukaman Mandavi. This incident sparked a political uproar that resonated from Chhattisgarh to Kerala and even reached Delhi.
Courtroom Proceedings and Reactions
During the courtroom proceedings, Judge Sirajuddin Qureshi noted the absence of prior criminal records for the accused and questioned the validity of the allegations. The courtroom atmosphere was tense as supporters awaited the verdict. Lawyer Amrito Das expressed relief at the bail decision, emphasizing that the truth would eventually surface.
Tribal Girls’ Shocking Revelations
In a dramatic twist, the tribal girls involved in the case publicly refuted claims against the nuns. Accompanied by family and activists, they appeared at the Superintendent of Police’s office in Narayanpur, accusing Bajrang Dal members and social worker Jyoti Sharma of assault and humiliation. The girls alleged that they were traveling willingly for work when they were stopped and mistreated.
Call for Justice
The families of the girls have demanded strict action against those responsible for their ordeal. They claim that the case was fabricated to incite religious tensions and criminalize community workers. The police have acknowledged their complaint and promised an inquiry, though no FIR has been filed yet.