Bilaspur, Aug 1 (NationPress) A specialized judicial body of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bilaspur has deferred its ruling on the bail application of two nuns from Kerala, Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, who were detained earlier this month amidst contentious allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.

The court, led by Principal District and Sessions Judge Sirajuddin Qureshi, is anticipated to announce its verdict on Saturday.

The nuns, along with a third individual, Sukaman Mandavi, were apprehended on July 25 at Durg railway station following a complaint from a member of the Bajrang Dal.

The FIR, filed under the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, accuses the trio of attempting to traffic and forcibly convert three adult women from Narayanpur district. However, defense attorney Amrito Das contended that the women are adults who have been practicing Christianity for years and were traveling voluntarily to Agra for work at a convent.

He further indicated that the police have not presented any compelling evidence and did not request custodial interrogation.

“The case diary has been submitted, and we have provided all pertinent facts to the court. The FIR is grounded on suspicion rather than proof. The alleged victims have returned home, and their families have denied any coercion,” Das remarked to the media.

Special Public Prosecutor Dau Chandravanshi, representing the NIA, argued that the charges require serious examination.

“We believe this is a case of human trafficking. The investigation is still in its early stages, and the court will make a decision based on the evidence presented,” he stated.

The case has sparked significant political and public discourse throughout the country. On Thursday, Rajya Sabha MPs John Brittas and P. Santosh Kumar from the CPI(M) submitted notices under Rule 267, requesting the suspension of routine business to discuss the increasing incidents of religious intolerance and the treatment of tribal converts. Tensions in Parliament heightened again on Friday as two Rajya Sabha members—Jebi Mather (Congress) and A.A. Rahim (CPI-M)—also submitted a notice under Rule 267 seeking to suspend regular proceedings to address the “unjust” arrest of the nuns in Chhattisgarh and the broader issue of religious intolerance against tribal converts.

However, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh rejected the request, citing procedural discrepancies and the sub-judice nature of the case.

This issue is expected to resurface in the Upper House next week, with opposition parties calling for a more extensive investigation into communal tensions in tribal areas.

The arrests have also faced backlash from church leaders and human rights advocates, who claim that legal provisions are being misused to target minority communities.

The result of Saturday's bail hearing may have implications extending beyond the courtroom as discussions of constitutional rights, religious freedom, and governmental accountability remain prevalent in national dialogue.