Hayatnagar couple dies by suicide near Ghatkesar over debt and conversion pressure

A couple residing in the Kuntluru area of Hayatnagar died by suicide on Thursday night by jumping in front of a speeding train near the Ghatkesar railway station in Hyderabad. The deceased, Ravikumar, a rice trader, and his wife, Sirisha, were reportedly driven to the extreme step due to financial distress involving Rs 20 lakhs and alleged pressure to convert to Christianity by their neighbors.

The victims, who originally belonged to Papayyapet village in the Chennaraopet mandal of Warangal district, left behind their two minor children, Sushanth and Vidwan.

According to the preliminary investigation by the police, who spoke to the children and Sirisha’s parents, the couple's neighbors, Venkat and Pramila, had been pressuring them to convert to Christianity. The neighbors constantly forced them to attend church services. Out of friendship, the couple initially obliged and attended Sunday prayers. However, Sirisha stated she had no intention of converting, which led to mild disputes between the husband and wife over the issue.

In addition to the religious pressure, Venkat and Pramila proposed starting a ready-mix concrete business, convincing the couple that the venture would yield high profits. Trusting them, Ravikumar pledged his wife's gold jewelry at a bank and handed over Rs 20 lakh to Venkat to purchase a ready-mix concrete vehicle.

Although Venkat promised a monthly income of Rs 20,000, he only paid the amount for two or three months before backing out. This left Ravikumar and Sirisha under severe mental anguish as the interest on their pledged gold mounted while the neighbor failed to repay the money.

Unable to bear the ongoing harassment from their neighbors, the couple decided to vacate their home and move elsewhere, even packing up their belongings.

However, police analysis of call data records revealed that on the evening of July 2, the couple went to the Ghatkesar railway station. They spoke at length on the phone with Venkat just half an hour before they took their own lives.

Following the news of the deaths, Venkat and Pramila locked their house and absconded. Based on statements from the deceased couple's family, the Government Railway Police in Secunderabad registered a case of abetment to suicide. Police teams have been formed to trace the missing neighbors.