Latest news with #ChhattisgarhPolice
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Nuns arrest: Kerala BJP leader meets Chhattisgarh Dy CM, says things will be clear soon
Raipur/Thiruvananthapuram: Days after the Chhattisgarh Police arrested three persons, including two nuns, on charges of trafficking and forcibly converting three tribal women, Kerala BJP General Secretary Anoop Antony on Tuesday met Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma over the issue. After the meeting, Antony said he had a fruitful meeting with Dy CM Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio. 'It should be clearly understood that the Anti-Conversion Law in Chhattisgarh is very strict, which became law when the Congress ruled the state,' said Antony. 'A lot of misinformation about this incident is being propagated. It would be nice if people tried to understand the correct picture in Chhattisgarh. It should be understood that there are very areas where tribals reside. Also, there are places where the presence of Maoists is very strong,' said Antony. 'At the meeting, Sharma has promised all help. They have sought legal advice, and the law will take its course. What the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh said was based on the FIR. A detailed probe will be there,' added Antony, who further pointed out that three Chhattisgarh women hail from the area where Maoists have had a foothold, and where even the land records do not exist. The nuns, Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, attached to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a congregation under the Syro-Malabar Church in Alappuzha district, were working at a hospital in Agra. On Saturday, the two nuns and the man, identified as Sukhman Mandavi, were accompanying the three women from Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where they had been offered jobs as kitchen helpers at a Convent. While they were waiting at the Chhattisgarh railway station, they were stopped by Bajrang Dal activists, and the police also arrived on the scene. Both the nuns and the man were taken into custody and later produced before a local court, which sent them to judicial custody. Soon this became a big issue in Kerala, and on Tuesday, a three-member team of Kerala Lok Sabha members -- Benny Behanan, N.K. Premachandran and Francis George reached Chhattisgarh. 'We are going to the jail where the nuns are put up. We will also meet with officials to find out everything,' said Behanan. Premachandran said all that has happened is with the knowledge of the state administration, while George said it's surprising that baseless charges of human trafficking and conversion are being spread. Father Sabu Joseph, attached to the Raipur diocese, said, "Let the authorities find out what these sisters are doing there. Anyone knowing a nun's job will understand what they have done and what they are doing.' Meanwhile, the Church leaders are contemplating to move a bail plea for the two arrested nuns.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Nuns are innocent, say family members of tribal women
Days after the Chhattisgarh Police arrested three persons, including two Keralite nuns, on charges of trafficking and forcibly converting a few tribal women, the latter's family members have denied the police claim. The kin said the women accompanied the nuns and a man from Narayanpur of their own volition, and that they are innocent. However, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, on Monday (July 28, 2025), backed the arrests, saying that 'through inducement, an attempt was being made [by the arrested persons] to engage in human trafficking and conversion'. The arrest sparked widespread protests from Delhi to Kerala on Monday (July 28, 2025). Nuns Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, and Sukaman Mandavi from Narayanpur were arrested on July 25 after a local Bajrang Dal member, Ravi Nigam, filed a complaint with the police, saying that Mr. Mandavi had brought three women to the Durg railway station, from where they had to go to Agra with the two nuns. 'They are being framed' Speaking to The Hindu over the phone on Monday (July 28, 2025) evening, the sisters of two of the women rejected claims of forceful conversion, and said they themselves had consented to be taken to Agra for a job. Their family members did not have any objections either, they said. 'Our parents are no longer alive and I sent my sister with the nuns so that she could take up a nursing job in Agra. I myself had taken up a job with them in Lucknow and I realised a similar move would help her to become self-reliant. And my sister was completely in agreement. The sisters [nuns] are innocent. Even the boy [Mandavi] is being framed, we sent our sisters with him,' said the elder sister of one of the three women over phone from a police station in Durg. The younger sister of another woman who was in Narayanpur also demanded the release of the nuns and said her sister left home on July 24, and that the family had converted to Christianity five years ago. In a related development post the arrests, all three families gave a written submission to the Narayanpur Police on July 26 saying that they were aware that the women were being taken for jobs, said Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria. On the question of families' consent and the basis for arrest, a Government Railway Police (GRP) officer said they were in the process of gathering corroborative evidence. Safety issue, says CM Even as senior police officers in the GRP or the State police were unavailable for comment, the Chief Minister backed the move and claimed the issue of women's safety was being given a 'political colour'. 'Three daughters from Narayanpur were promised nursing training and subsequent job placements. They were handed over to two nuns at the Durg station by a person from Narayanpur, who were taking the girls to Agra. Through inducement, an attempt was being made to engage in human trafficking and conversion,' Mr. Sai said. 'This is a serious matter related to women's safety. The investigation is still ongoing. The matter is under judicial review, and the law will take its course.' 'Chhattisgarh is a peaceful State where people of all religions and communities live in harmony. It is extremely unfortunate to give a political colour to the issue related to the safety of our Bastar daughters,' he wrote on X.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CBCI, Oppn parties slam arrest of two nuns by Chhattisgarh Police
Thiruvananthapuram: The president of the Catholics Bishop Conference of India ( CBCI) Reverend Andrews Thazhath, who is also the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur, on Monday slammed the Chhattisgarh Police for arresting two nuns from Kerala and a man on accusations of alleged human trafficking and religious conversion by the Bajrang Dal. 'This has happened in a country where freedom of religion is allowed and hence this act should be seen very seriously. The nuns were attacked by the Bajrang Dal activists and none should forget that nuns always stand and work for the uplift of the downtrodden,' said Thazhath. 'Irrespective of whoever governs the country, the freedom of religion should be protected and upheld. Incidentally across the country at some places Christians are living in a state of fear. We have already brought this to the attention of our Prime Minister Modi,' added Thazhath. On Monday, lawmakers from Kerala, barring the BJP, brought the issue of the harassment of the nuns and their arrest, to the attention of the House by way of a notice for an adjournment motion, but it was disallowed. Thazhath however thanked the lawmakers for raising this issue in the Parliament. The nuns, Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis attached to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a congregation under the Syro-Malabar Church in Alappuzha district, were working at a hospital in Agra. On Saturday, the two nuns and the man, identified as Sukhman Mandavi, were accompanying three women from Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district to Agra, where they had been offered jobs of kitchen helpers at a Convent. At the railway station they were accosted by Bajrang Dal activists and the police also arrived on the scene. Both the nuns and the man were soon taken into custody and later produced before a local court which sent them to judicial custody. Close relatives of the two nuns are aghast at this act of jailing the hapless nuns whose only interest was the welfare of the downtrodden girls. 'This should not be seen as a one off incident, as we have been told that things do not augur well now in certain places in North India,' said the family of the nuns. The CPI-M state secretariat in a statement condemned the Chhattisgarh Police and the Railway officials and accused them of dancing to the tunes of Bajrang Dal activists. 'This issue should not just be seen as a Christian issue but also a gross violation of the Constitution as this is nothing but an intrusion on minority rights. There is every right not just to practice religion but also propagate it. Grave charges have been slapped on the arrested, this is in no way acceptable,' read the CPI-M statement. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said he had just spoken to the aged parents of one of the arrested nuns. 'This incident is not just a one off incident as incidence of attacking Christian nuns and priests in several states in North India are increasing by the day. It has come to a stage when Christian priests and nuns cannot even wear their official dress for fear of being attacked. This has to end quickly and authorities have to do the needful,' said Satheesan. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, George Kurian, said that since the matter was sub judice and he was a Minister, he would not make any comment on the issue. Kerala state BJP vice-president Shone George said, 'I will say that let the court take the call and if the nuns are innocent, we have made all arrangement to ensure they are safely taken back to their respective places.'
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
After knife ordered online was found to be used in Raipur murder, CG police files FIR against e-commerce giant
Raipur: In a chilling case that has raised serious questions over unchecked e-commerce deliveries, Chhattisgarh Police have registered an FIR against e-commerce giant after a knife allegedly ordered through the platform was used in a violent theft attempt leading to murder at a petrol pump in Raipur. The incident occurred in the early hours of July 17, around 3 AM, at Umariya village under Mandir Hasaud police station limits. Chhattisgarh Police have booked six persons linked to e-commerce platform and its delivery partner Elastic Run Courier for allegedly facilitating the online sale and delivery of a deadly weapon used in the crime. The case has triggered sharp concern over the online availability of potentially lethal items. Additional SP Vivek Shukla told TOI, "Two youths, Sameer Tandon (21) and Kunal Tiwari (24), were arrested within hours of the incident in which a petrol pump employee, Yogesh Miri (26), was stabbed to death and another, Anil Gaikwad (22), was injured during a robbery attempt around 3 AM on July 17. Police said the murder weapon—a sharp-edged knife—was ordered online via e-commerece website and delivered by Elastic Run Courier. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The accused had even placed orders for two more knives, which were en route at the time of their arrest." During the course of investigation, police examined the mobile phone of accused Kunal Tiwari and confirmed that the knives were ordered using his registered mobile number. Both accused confessed to using the knife delivered online for the violent robbery, which escalated into murder, he said. What makes the case graver is that Raipur Police had earlier issued written instructions to e-commerce companies, warning them against delivering dangerous weapons like knives. Despite these directives, the companies continued to allow such deliveries, prompting police to now initiate criminal proceedings under BNS Section 125(B), 3(5) and relevant Arms Act provisions. Taking serious note of the violation, police have arrested six individuals linked to the e-commerce platform and Elastic Run Courier. These include managers, delivery handlers, and logistical coordinators who allegedly ignored the warnings and facilitated the delivery of the knife. Raipur SSP Lal Umed Singh ordered swift action, directing multiple units including the Anti-Crime & Cyber Unit and Mandir Hasaud Police to investigate all individuals involved in the delivery chain. Additional SP Vivek Shukla, who is leading the probe, said the arrests followed detailed electronic and forensic analysis and would continue as the investigation progresses. Police said further arrests may be made as they probe deeper into the operational roles of other company officials responsible for violating standing orders regarding weapon sales.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh police book Flipkart after knife used in Raipur murder was ordered online
Representative photo RAIPUR: In a chilling case that has raised serious questions over unchecked e-commerce deliveries, Chhattisgarh Police have registered an FIR against e-commerce giant Flipkart after a knife allegedly ordered through the platform was used in a violent theft attempt leading to murder at a petrol pump in Raipur. The incident occurred in the early hours of July 17, around 3 AM, at Umariya village under Mandir Hasaud police station limits. Chhattisgarh Police have booked six persons linked to e-commerce platform Flipkart and its delivery partner Elastic Run Courier for allegedly facilitating the online sale and delivery of a deadly weapon used in the crime. The case has triggered sharp concern over the online availability of potentially lethal items. Additional SP Vivek Shukla told TOI, 'Two youths, Sameer Tandon (21) and Kunal Tiwari (24), were arrested within hours of the incident in which a petrol pump employee, Yogesh Miri (26), was stabbed to death and another, Anil Gaikwad (22), was injured during a robbery attempt around 3 AM on July 17. Police said the murder weapon—a sharp-edged knife—was ordered online via Flipkart and delivered by Elastic Run Courier. The accused had even placed orders for two more knives, which were en route at the time of their arrest.' During the course of investigation, police examined the mobile phone of accused Kunal Tiwari and confirmed that the knives were ordered from Flipkart using his registered mobile number. Both accused confessed to using the knife delivered online for the violent robbery, which escalated into murder, he said. What makes the case graver is that Raipur Police had earlier issued written instructions to e-commerce companies including Flipkart and Amazon, warning them against delivering dangerous weapons like knives. Despite these directives, the companies continued to allow such deliveries, prompting police to now initiate criminal proceedings under BNS Section 125(B), 3(5) and relevant Arms Act provisions. Taking serious note of the violation, police have arrested six individuals linked to Flipkart and Elastic Run Courier. These include managers, delivery handlers, and logistical coordinators who allegedly ignored the warnings and facilitated the delivery of the knife. Raipur SSP Lal Umed Singh ordered swift action, directing multiple units including the Anti-Crime & Cyber Unit and Mandir Hasaud Police to investigate all individuals involved in the delivery chain. Additional SP Vivek Shukla, who is leading the probe, said the arrests followed detailed electronic and forensic analysis and would continue as the investigation progresses. Police said further arrests may be made as they probe deeper into the operational roles of other company officials responsible for violating standing orders regarding weapon sales.
