Girls transported by Kerala nuns follow Christianity, arrest made on mere suspicion: NIA court

The police filed an FIR against Kerala nuns Vandana Francis, Preethy Mary and slapped charges of forceful conversion and human trafficking based on mere suspicion, according to the order granting bail issued by Special Judge, Bilaspur (NIA Act), Sirauddin Qureshi here on Saturday. The court noted that no previous record of the criminal history was annexed in the arrest memo, and it was also mentioned that the accused persons were not habitual offenders or did not fall under the dangerous category.

The court also took note of the fact that the parents of the three victims filed affidavits stating that the accused persons/applicants have not allured or forced or coerced their daughters for religious conversion or human trafficking. Out of the three girls, two of them gave their statements to the police that they have been followers of Christianity since childhood. 

The police arrested Vandana Francis, Preethy Mary and Sukaman Mandavi on July 25 based on a complaint that they allured three girls who are residents of Bastar and Jagdalpur region for conversion to another religious faith. The police also noted in the case diary that there was also an inducement of providing them with a job in Agra. The arrest was made based on a complaint by one Ravi Nigam. 

Advocate Amrito Das, who appeared for the petitioners, said that there were no other criminal antecedents against the nuns and termed the FIR as false and based on apprehension and conjecture. Advocate Hemant Kumar Mishra, who appeared for the prosecution, raised objections alleging allurement of girls for religious conversion and human trafficking, and expressed concerns about the accused absconding. The special public prosecutor for NIA also raised an objection to the bail.

The court said that the investigating agency has not placed any material on record before the court to show how continued custody of the accused persons would be necessary for the investigation or ends of justice and hence the accused persons are entitled to bail. The merits of the case shall be examined at the appropriate stage, the court said.  

In addition to executing bail bonds for a sum of ₹50,000, the court laid down a few conditions which said that they shall not leave the country without the consent of the Special Court (NIA) and shall surrender their passports with the special court. They shall also inform the NIA of their address and shall report to the station house officer of the police station within whose jurisdiction they shall reside, once every fortnight. The court also directed them to make themselves available for interrogation in the course of the investigation as and when required. They have also been asked not to give any press interviews or make any public comments in connection with the case.