Following the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of facilitating religious conversion and human trafficking, a significant controversy has unfolded. The incident, which occurred on July 25, 2025, involved the arrest of Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, along with a local resident, Sukman Mandavi, at the Durg railway station. They were accused of attempting to transport three tribal girls from Bastar to Agra under the guise of offering them jobs, with the intention of converting them to Christianity.
During police questioning, the girls revealed that they were promised “nursing jobs” and were unaware of their families’ knowledge of the situation. A diary found with one of the accused contained the names, phone numbers of priests and other girls, raising suspicions of a larger network. The case was registered under BNS section 143, the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, and the PITA Act.
The accused were placed in judicial custody, and the girls were moved to a women’s protection center. The Durg court initially rejected the bail application, stating the case fell under the NIA Act, thus requiring a hearing in the special NIA court in Bilaspur. This has led to a political firestorm, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between various political factions.
