Kerala Nuns Granted Bail Amidst Controversial Trafficking Charges

In a recent development, two nuns from Kerala, initially arrested on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion, were released after a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court granted them bail. This decision, made on Saturday, has sparked significant attention and political discourse.

The Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, was seen receiving the nuns upon their release from Durg Jail in Chhattisgarh, with other political leaders, including CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar, present at the scene. The accusations against the nuns were rooted in an alleged breach of Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3 of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967.

The defense counsel highlighted the lack of evidence supporting claims of forced religious conversion or trafficking, leading to a bail of Rs 50,000 per individual. The prosecution has imposed conditions, such as travel limitations and non-interference with ongoing investigations. The incident has stirred political commentary, with Congress representatives labeling the case as unfounded and politically charged.

(With inputs from agencies.)