Munmun Kaur
Published On: January 06, 2022 at 12:32 IST
A Vadodara Court on January 05, while rejecting the Anticipatory Bail application of the two nuns of the Missionaries of Charity gave a direction to the city’s Police to refrain from arresting them till January 10 in a case under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.
Apparently, the two nuns were booked for allegedly ‘Hurting Hindu religious sentiments’ and ‘Luring towards Christianity young girls’ in the shelter home run by the organization.
A clarification as to the use of Section 3 and 4 of the Act in the case is awaited by the Court. The matter is up for next hearing on January 10 where the Police is expected to file an Affidavit along with the clarification from the Government Pleader on the use of the two sections, until then the Police is directed not to Arrest the two nuns.
Advocate Jahangir Shaikh who is appearing on behalf of the Missionaries of Charity stated that the Police are trying to delay the matter by seeking adjournments as the two sections have been stayed by the Gujarat High Court in August last year. He further added that his clients have been cooperating with the Investigation despite the case being filed under the sections that are stayed.
The FIR lodged by the Makarpura Police station on December 12 states that the team of five officers of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after visiting the shelter have recommended to find an alternative to the organization. The FIR further states that the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), on September 10 took suo motu cognizance and wrote to the District Administration citing violation of Article 28 (3) at the shelter home.
Amongst other Allegations, the FIR alleges forced conversion of Punjabi woman through marriage with Christian men by the organization.
