Indore bishop urges caution after nuns detained at station

Bishop warns religious to exercise prudence in travel after Visitation sisters and candidates were briefly held on suspicion of human trafficking at Indore railway station.

INDORE, Madhya Pradesh (Indian Catholic News) — The bishop of Indore has urged priests and religious to exercise “maximum prudence especially while travelling” after a group of nuns and candidates were detained at a railway station on suspicion of human trafficking, according to a message circulated within the diocese.

In a communication addressed to clergy and religious, Bishop Thomas Mathew Kuttimackal of Indore referred to an April 7 incident at Indore Junction railway station in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, where eight candidates and two sisters from the Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary were stopped by railway police.

“On receiving information about ‘human trafficking’, the Railway Police detained these girls at the Indore station and started interrogation,” the bishop wrote.

The message, which has been widely circulated within the diocese, outlined concerns about increased scrutiny and risks faced by Church personnel, particularly during travel periods.

“So what is the lesson for all of us?” the bishop asked, before listing key observations. “Our activities and movements are on constant surveillance,” he wrote, adding, “It appears that our enemies are looking out for opportunities to trap us.”

Bishop Kuttimackal noted that even if individuals are later cleared of wrongdoing, the consequences can be significant. “We may be proved innocent later. But what about the loss of our time, money and, much more, peace of mind,” he said.

The bishop then issued specific guidelines, urging religious to “use maximum prudence especially while travelling.” These included avoiding group travel with candidates, limiting the use of religious dress where possible, and ensuring all necessary documentation is in order.

“As you sense any trouble, immediately report to people who you think can help,” he advised.

Bishop Kuttimackal added that “thanks to the timely intervention of our Fathers who contacted some higher Police officials, and not to forget the Providential hand of God, a potential ‘DURG’ was averted.”

The reference to “a potential ‘DURG’” alludes to a July 2025 incident in Durg, a city in the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh, where two nuns from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate were arrested following accusations by a mob that they were attempting religious conversion under the guise of employment.

In that case, the nuns had travelled to meet three young women reportedly set to work with the congregation in Agra, and the women were said to have parental consent letters. However, the situation escalated after protests led by Hindu nationalist activists.

Concluding his message, Bishop Kuttimackal called for spiritual trust amid uncertainty. “Above all, let us all surrender ourselves to the Divine Providence,” he wrote, extending “blessings of the Risen Lord.”