The Durg sessions court in Chhattisgarh will consider the bail plea of Sisters Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis.
Published Jul 30, 2025 | 12:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 30, 2025 | 12:08 PM
Sister Vandana Francis from Thalassery and Sister Preethi Mary from Angamaly, who were arrested in Chhattisgarh.
Synopsis: A Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India team reached Chhattisgarh to handle the arrest of two Malayali nuns. Meanwhile, prominent church leaders will organise a protest march to the Kerala Raj Bhavan.
With escalating protests over the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh, a Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) team reached Raipur from Delhi on Wednesday, 30 July. The delegation includes members from the legal, women’s, and tribal departments of the CBCI.
At the same time, the CBCI rejected criticism from Union Minister George Kurien, who had accused the body of inaction. The Bishop’s body clarified that it is in constant contact with the nuns and committed to providing full support.
The Durg sessions court in Chhattisgarh will consider the bail plea of Sisters Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis on Wednesday. The lower court had earlier rejected their application.
Meanwhile, prominent church leaders will organise a protest march to the Kerala Raj Bhavan in Thiruvanathapuram on Wednesday.
The CBCI stated it had no prior information about the plea in the lower court and said the rejection there was a routine step, as the case involves charges that fall under the jurisdiction of the sessions court.
It said it will release a statement responding to the minister’s remarks, stating that he should have exercised more caution, especially since the BJP’s state leadership has extended support. CBCI leaders also urged the Union minister to stand with the community during this time.
The rally organised by the Church will begin on Wednesday evening at Palayam Martyrs Hall. Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, Catholicos, Archbishop Thomas J Netto, Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, and Bishop Christudas are expected to participate.
The nuns were arrested on 25 July on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
The case names Sister Preethi Mary as the first accused and Sister Vandana Francis as the second. Both belong to the Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation. Sister Vandana hails from Udayagiri parish in Thalassery, Kannur, while Sister Preethi is from Elavoor parish in Angamaly.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
