Both women religious are accused of inflicting physical violence and coercion on two girls in a school in Baghmara, but the real charge is attempted forced conversion. No evidence in either case has been produced.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Two nuns, who were arrested on Saturday charged with ill-treating two female students at a residential school run by the Catholic Church at Baghamara, were granted bail by a local court on Monday.

Sister Mary, 57, and Sister Prema, 62, from the Bangalore-based congregation of St Ann's Sisters were released after three days in jail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 (US$ 250) each.

Both women religious have not gone to trial yet because the police needs more evidence to back the charges. So far it has failed in this task.

In reality unsubstantiated allegations of forced conversion underlie this case.

In the meantime Sub-Divisional Judge Moonrani Mishra granted bail on condition they try not to change the faith of others, co-operate with investigators, and try not to tamper with evidence or leave the court’s jurisdiction without permission.

According to the papers filed in the case, two girls—14-year-old Sarojini Murmu of Nachipur village and 11-year-old Anjana Behera of Titia village—fled their school on July 20 alleging that the two nuns had physically tortured them and made them clean toilets and the school poultry.

The two women religious are charged with voluntarily causing harm, intimidation and attempt at forced conversion.

• india orissa baghamara mary prema moonrani mishra bangalore-based congregation of st ann's sisters torture mistreatment residential school sarojini murmu anjana behera catholic church voluntarily causing harm
• criminal intimidation and attempt at forced conversion.