Durg/Bilaspur: The two Malayali Catholic nuns, arrested in Chhattisgarh, on charges of forced religious conversion and human trafficking will file a fresh bail plea before the Chhattisgarh High Court on Friday as the local sessions court in Durg declined to consider their application the other day.

On Wednesday, the nuns had approached the Durg sessions court seeking bail. However, the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the plea, as the charges involved serious offences, including human trafficking, which fall under the purview of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court. The judge directed that the matter be taken up with the special NIA court in Bilaspur.

As a result, the nuns remain in judicial custody. A Supreme Court advocate is reportedly expected to represent them in the High Court as they prepare to move a fresh bail application.

Meanwhile, the court move triggered celebrations by Bajrang Dal activists who had gathered outside the court in large numbers

The case continues to draw national attention, especially amid ongoing debates about religious freedom, alleged persecution and political outreach to minority communities.