'Must report to the station once every two weeks, should not interact with media'; Strict bail conditions imposed

NEW DELHI: Two Kerala nuns, arrested nine days back on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion in Chhattisgarh, were finally granted bail on Saturday. The NIA court granted bail on the conditions that, in addition to two sureties of Rs 50,000 each, they must surrender their passports to the court, not leave the country, not influence witnesses, not speak to the media, and report to the station once every two weeks. The verdict was given by Principal Sessions Judge Sirajuddin Qureshi. Reports say that the nuns will be released from jail today after completing the formalities.

The prosecution opposed the bail application in the Bilaspur NIA court yesterday, but did not raise strong arguments today. BJP, Congress, and Left leaders from Kerala were present in front of the jail during the time of the verdict.

Advocate Amruthodas, who appeared for the nuns, argued that the three girls willingly decided to travel with the nuns and denied allegations of human trafficking. The prosecution did not raise any objection to this claim in court. Since the bail application was sent to the NIA court at the request of the prosecution, they were technically obliged to object. For the same reason, the prosecution said that the investigation was just at the nascent stage and left it for the court to decide.

On Friday, the prosecution made a very strong and lengthy argument to deny bail first in the Magistrate's Court and then in the Sessions Court.