Kerala Nuns Arrest: Court Rejects Bail Plea Over Jurisdiction Issue

Quick Summary

• Two Keralite Christian nuns,Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI),were arrested at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh on July 25,2025.
• The charges include human trafficking and kidnapping for forced religious conversion under Section 143 of BNS.
• A sessions court in Durg observed it does not have jurisdiction over such cases and suggested moving the matter to an NIA court.
• The arrest has sparked widespread protests from Church leaders, Kerala’s ruling front, as well as opposition political groups.
• Authorities at Durg Central Prison assured members of Kerala’s Left Democratic Front delegation that the incarcerated nuns, reportedly unwell, would be shifted to the district hospital.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrest of two Keralite nuns on serious allegations like human trafficking has ignited important protests in Kerala involving both political parties and religious institutions. While legal proceedings are still unfolding with jurisdiction issues pushing matters toward an NIA court, steps taken by prison authorities to shift ailing detainees suggest efforts towards humane treatment.

This incident highlights sensitive intersections between law enforcement actions and perceived misuse regarding religious communities-a critical area requiring balanced inquiry. with prominent Church bodies raising concerns along with cross-party support in Kerala against these arrests, the case could have broader implications for federal-state relations if intervention becomes legally necessary. Equally significant is ensuring impartiality in investigations amidst polarizing narratives around forced conversions.

Read more: Protests erupt over arrest of Christian nuns