Kerala nuns’ arrest in Chhattisgarh: Women they are accused of trafficking say right-wing activists harassed and abused them

On Wednesday, the three women who were allegedly trafficked appeared before the Chhattisgarh Women’s Commission. After the first hearing, the commission’s chairperson, Kiranmayee Nayak, told The Indian Express, “We have sent emails to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Durg and SP of Railway, and the next hearing has been kept for September 2. We have asked them to furnish the CCTV footage (related to the incident) and to ensure that those who did not attend the first hearing must attend the next hearing. The women have also named a railway police in-charge and another police official.”

Nayak also said one Jyoti Sharma “misbehaved” with the women. Sharma is associated with right-wing groups.

“Jyoti Sharma has misbehaved and abused them, along with two more men. Sharma did not attend the hearing. In all, these five have to appear before us,” Nayak said.

The three women had first tried to get a police complaint registered against the right-wing workers in connection with alleged harassment. When that failed, they approached the women’s commission in Raipur, said Phool Singh Kachlam, who filed the petition on their behalf.

Jyoti Sharma had denied any wrongdoing when previously contacted by The Indian Express.