'Bail within two days, state govt will not oppose'; Union Home Minister Amit Shah responds to Chhattisgarh issue

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave assent to initiate bail procedures for the two Kerala nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh. Minister Shah, in a statement, said that the nuns will get bail anywhere between two days and assured that the state government would not oppose the move. Earlier, UDF and LDF MPs had met with the Union Home Minister to talk about the issue. Shah also pointed out that it was needless for the authorities to send the bail application to the NIA court.

Amit Shah had earlier sought information from the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister on the incident. The Prime Minister's Office had forwarded the complaint filed by the MPs to Amit Shah. There are also indications that Amit Shah discussed the issue with the Prime Minister. The move was made after reputed bishops from churches in Kerala hit the streets in protest over the arrest.

Last Friday, the police arrested Sister Vandana Francis of Udayagiri parish in Thalassery and Sister Preethi Mary of Elavoor parish in Angamaly from Durg railway station. They both work at Fatima Hospital in Agra and came to Durg railway station to pick up three girls. The girls were waiting for the nuns here.

When the ticket checker enquired, it was found that the girls were inside the station without a ticket. This led to a search, and later, one of the girls admitted that they were waiting for nuns. Suspicion grew, and later local outfits were informed, and a protest followed. The nuns were later arrested on charges of proselytisation and human trafficking.