India: NIA Court Grants Bail to Two Kerala Nuns Accused of Trafficking and Forced Conversion

A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bilaspur has granted bail to two Catholic nuns from Kerala, Sr. Vandana Francis and Sr. Preethi Mary, both members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), along with Sukhman Mandavi, a tribal youth from Narayanpur who was arrested with them.

The trio had been in custody for over a week after being accused of human trafficking and alleged forced religious conversions involving three tribal women. The arrest, prompted by complaints from Bajrang Dal activists, drew widespread condemnation from Christian groups and rights advocates across the country.

Speaking to Catholic Connect following the court’s ruling, Sr. Nitya Francis, Provincial of ASMI, expressed deep relief and gratitude. “I wholeheartedly thank everyone for all their efforts,” she said. “We are immensely grateful for the prayers, moral support, and the help extended by Church authorities and political leaders.”

She emphasized that the bail was the fruit of a united response, “It is the collective initiative by many groups. The CBCI also pressured the political parties and stood by us. There were politicians who also helped in securing this bail. We give thanks to God.”

According to Catholic Connect, the sisters’ defense clarified that the three women had voluntarily accompanied the nuns to seek employment at an institution run by the congregation. The women's parents also submitted statements confirming that their daughters had left with full consent for work-related reasons.

Meanwhile, reports from Narayanpur suggest that the three women involved now plan to file a legal case against Bajrang Dal activists and Jyoti Sharma, the complainant in the case.

The Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a Franciscan congregation founded in Kerala in 1949, are widely respected for their service in healthcare, education, and social outreach, particularly among poor and marginalized communities.

The case was initially brought before a sessions court in Durg but was transferred to the NIA court in Bilaspur after the state government argued that it fell under the jurisdiction of a special court.

The arrests had triggered peaceful protests across India, with Christian leaders calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated.