Two nuns granted conditional bail

Baripada, July 30 (UNI) Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Baripada Moonrani Mishra today granted ''conditional bails'' to the two nuns - Sister Mary and Sister Prema, charged for torturing two tribal girl students and attempting conversion.

The nuns, working as teachers in the Catholic residential school at Baghmara, about 30 kms from here under Barasahi Police Station limits of Mayurbhanj district, were arrested on July 28 for allegedly torturing two girls Sarojini Murmu(14) and Anjana Behera(11) studying in ''Bijay Sadan'' school at Baghmara.

On the basis of the FIR lodged by the parents, the police booked the two nuns under sections 323(causing simple hurt) and 526 (criminal intimidation) and section 4 of the OFRA (Orissa Freedom of Religion Act) for forcibly attempting conversion.

The SDJM in her orders said the nuns should not indulge in any activity to change religion or tamper with prosecution evidences and co-operate with the Investigating Officer (IO) in course of investigation.

They were also asked not leave the jurisdiction of the court till the disposal of this case.The court further ordered that they should furnish surety worth rupees ten thousand for each of them.

The nuns were lodged in the Baripada Circle Jail since their arrest.

UNI