A sessions court in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district on Wednesday ruled that it lacks jurisdiction to hear the bail applications of 2 Catholic nuns arrested on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion.
Bail Pleas Redirected To Special Court
The court dismissed the bail applications of Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, stating that cases under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to human trafficking, must be heard by a designated special court.
Their lawyer, Rajkumar Tiwari, confirmed that the nuns will now have to seek legal relief through the appropriate judicial forum.
The two nuns, along with Sukaman Mandavi, were detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP) on July 25 at Durg railway station. Their arrest followed a complaint filed by a local Bajrang Dal leader, who alleged that they were attempting to forcibly convert and traffic three tribal women from Narayanpur district.
Nuns In Judicial Custody
The arrested nuns, who are originally from Kerala, are currently held at the Durg Central Jail as they await further legal proceedings.
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