Forced to convert, man commits suicide, police cites Whatsapp status as evidence
In a tragic incident in Potiyadih village of Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district, a 30-year-old man named Linesh Sahu committed suicide by hanging himself on Saturday.
Prior to his death, he posted a message on his WhatsApp status accusing his wife and her family of repeatedly pressuring him to convert to Christianity. In response to the situation, the police have arrested four individuals, including the deceased's wife and in-laws, and are continuing their investigation.
According to family sources, Linesh married Karuna Sahu in September 2023. Shortly after the wedding, Karuna, along with her mother Gauri Sahu, father Rajkumar Sahu, half-sister Kiran Sahu, and sister-in-law Kanishka Sahu, began pressuring him and his family to abandon Hinduism in favor of Christianity.
Overwhelmed by this pressure, Linesh took the drastic step of ending his life. Upon arriving at the scene, police initiated an inquiry and registered a case. They discovered Linesh's mobile phone at the location, which contained messages detailing his distress regarding the conversion pressure.
He had also sent a message to his brother-in-law Gulshan Sahu expressing his struggles. Following the investigation, the Arjuni police arrested Karuna Sahu, Gauri Sahu, Rajkumar Sahu, and Kiran Sahu under relevant legal provisions. All four accused have been placed in judicial custody as the case unfolds.
This incident has sparked significant controversy regarding conversion pressures in the region, highlighting serious concerns over religious coercion within families. The family of the deceased has refrained from making public statements while the police continue their proceedings.