In a setback to the two Keralite nuns lodged in Durg jail, a sessions court on Wednesday refused to entertain their bail application and directed the petitioners to approach the NIA-designated bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur.

The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the bail plea as the case is being investigated under provisions of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act. Despite arguments from the defence, the court dismissed the application.

As the hearing began, members of the Bajrang Dal gathered outside the court and raised slogans against the nuns, accusing them of being involved in a case of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.

The complainant, Ravi Nigam, was represented by a team of five lawyers. Advocate Jaiswal, appearing in court, reiterated that only the High Court had the authority to hear bail applications in such cases. The Bajrang Dal activists outside the court were seen celebrating after the court's decision.

The arrest of the two nuns has triggered political outrage in Kerala. The issue was raised in both Houses of Parliament, though it has yet to be taken up for discussion. Earlier, MPs from Kerala staged a protest outside Parliament.

Congress-led UDF MPs also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the matter. A delegation of senior leaders, including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Venugopal said the Centre must intervene, alleging that the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister was failing to act responsibly.

“Spoke in Parliament demanding the immediate release of Sister Vandana and Sister Preethi belonging to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, who were brutally attacked by Bajrang Dal goons in Durg in Chhattisgarh and later arrested by the police without any reason,” Venugopal posted on X.

“Instead of upholding the Constitution, the Chhattisgarh CM is validating the mob narrative. The PM and Kerala BJP wax eloquent about their newfound love for Christians, but in reality, have venom in their hearts against minorities.”

Earlier in the day, a CPM-led delegation comprising politburo member Brinda Karat and MPs A A Rahim, K Radhakrishnan and Jose K Mani visited the nuns in jail. Karat called the arrest a case of fabricated charges and demanded their immediate release.

“The nuns are completely innocent. This is a targeted move against Christians,” she said.

In Kerala, both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF held separate protests. Senior Congress leaders, including KPCC president K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, led a march to the Kerala Raj Bhavan demanding immediate intervention.

“This is unacceptable. These nuns are known for their humanitarian work. The Centre must act decisively,” said Satheesan.

Church leaders and members of the Christian community are also scheduled to march to the Raj Bhavan later in the evening.

Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis belong to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a Syro-Malabar congregation based in Alappuzha. They had been working at a hospital in Agra.

On July 26, the two nuns, along with Sukhman Mandavi, were escorting three women from Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district to Agra for employment at a convent when they were stopped at a railway station by Bajrang Dal activists. The group was later detained by the police and produced before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

With the sessions court now declining to hear the bail plea, the nuns will remain in custody until the Chhattisgarh High Court hears the matter.
(With IANS inputs)