A court handling terror-related cases in central India has granted bail to two Catholic nuns and an Indigenous youth accused of human trafficking and forced religious conversion, sparking debate over minority rights
Newsroom (06/08/2025 Gaudium Press) A special court handling terror-related cases in central India has granted bail to two Catholic nuns and an Indigenous youth accused of human trafficking and forced religious conversion, sparking widespread debate over religious freedom and minority rights in the country. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, released Sisters Vandana Francis, Preeti Mary, and Sukhuman Mandavi on Aug. 2, imposing stringent bail conditions amid allegations that have drawn sharp criticism from Christian communities nationwide.
The trio, arrested on July 25 at Durg railway station, belongs to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a Franciscan congregation under the Syro-Malabar Church. Their detention followed accusations by activists from Bajrang Dal, a hardline Hindu organization, who claimed the nuns and Mandavi were trafficking three young women, aged 19 to 22, to convert them to Christianity. The women were traveling to work as domestic help in convents, accompanied by Mandavi from their village to the station.
Strict Bail Conditions Imposed
The NIA court, typically tasked with terrorism cases, set rigorous terms for the release. The accused were required to surrender their passports, report to a local police station biweekly, and refrain from tampering with evidence. The court also prohibited them from speaking to the media or making public comments about the case, warning that any violation could lead to bail cancellation. Each individual posted a bond of 50,000 Indian rupees ($570) and secured two sureties of the same amount.
Congregation Rejects Allegations
Mother Superior Isabel Francis of the Assisi Sisters dismissed the charges as baseless. “Never have we ever faced such a charge of forceful religious conversion in our history,” she told The Indian Express. The congregation, founded 75 years ago to treat leprosy patients, has since expanded into education and healthcare, running schools for the mentally challenged and health clinics in Chhattisgarh. Sister Isabel emphasized that Sisters Vandana and Preeti have dedicated over 30 years to serving the poor. “Some of our sisters are now learning the law to battle such trumped-up charges,” she added.
Families Refute Claims
The court’s decision was bolstered by affidavits from the parents of the three young women, who stated that their daughters were neither coerced nor lured into religious conversion or trafficking. These sworn statements undermined the accusations leveled by Bajrang Dal activists, who confronted the group at Durg railway station.
According to The Indian Express, Sister Preeti, a trained nurse from Kerala, was inspired to join religious life in her early 20s. Her brother, M. Baiju, described her as a lifelong philanthropist who regularly distributed food, clothes, and medicines to the poor in Chhattisgarh. “She believes in helping those ailing from diseases and often spoke about the plight of the poor in North Indian cities,” he said.
Legal and Social Backlash
The young women involved plan to file complaints against the Bajrang Dal activists, alleging assault and coercion to provide false statements against the nuns and Mandavi. Supreme Court lawyer Govind Yadav, based in New Delhi, called the incident a “clear violation of fundamental rights.” He argued that the trafficking and conversion charges lack merit, given the refutations from the women and their parents. “The case cannot be sustained in trial,” Yadav told UCA News on Aug. 4, noting that the accused could seek to quash the case in the high court or request a police closure report.
The arrests have reignited concerns over rising Hindu fundamentalism in India. A scathing editorial in Deepika, a Malayalam daily published by Catholic bishops in Kerala, condemned the growing influence of Hindu nationalist groups under state patronage. The editorial highlighted the suppression of minority voices, particularly Christians, in the country.
Rising Persecution of Christians
The United Christian Forum, a New Delhi-based ecumenical group, reports a sharp increase in anti-Christian incidents since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government took office in 2014. The organization documented 127 incidents of persecution in 2014, rising to 834 in 2024. Christians, who constitute 2.3% of India’s 1.4 billion population, face growing hostility in a nation where Hindus make up nearly 80% of the populace.
The release of the nuns and Mandavi has sparked protests in Kerala, where the nuns hail from, and drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by religious minorities in India. As the legal process unfolds, the case underscores tensions over religious freedom and the role of hardline groups in shaping India’s social landscape.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from OSV and UCAN News
Related Images:
