Bhubaneswar: A shocking case of love jihad has emerged from Cuttack, Odisha, just days after a similar incident surfaced in Keonjhar district. A young nurse, originally from Jagatsinghpur and employed at a private hospital in Cuttack’s Jobra area, died by suicide after reportedly enduring relentless mental harassment and blackmail from a man who allegedly concealed his religion to lure her into a relationship.
The accused, identified as Saniripan (24), a native of South Dinajpur district in West Bengal, was arrested near the Bangladesh border in Kusumundi following a manhunt launched by Cuttack police. He had been absconding since the incident and was tracked through phone surveillance. Authorities have charged him under multiple serious sections, including abetment to suicide, blackmail, and provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Relationship Built on False Identity.
According to police sources, the accused and the victim worked together at the same hospital, where he posed as a Hindu and developed a romantic relationship with the nurse. However, the situation took a grim turn when she later discovered Saniripan’s true religious identity. Upon learning the truth, she attempted to end the relationship.
Following the breakup, the accused began to harass her. Unable to bear the stress, the young nurse resigned from her job, but the mental torture continued unabated. Saniripan also quit his job and returned to his native village, but the harassment allegedly persisted through phone calls and digital communication.
Blackmail and Religious Conversion Pressure.
Investigators say the accused continued to blackmail the victim using private photos and videos taken during their relationship. He threatened to release the footage publicly if she refused to comply with his demands, which included converting to Islam and marrying him. Despite the victim’s repeated refusals, the pressure continued for weeks.
On June 29, the victim was found hanging in her rented accommodation in the Madhupatna area of Cuttack. Police reached the scene after being alerted and sent the body for autopsy. Later police handed over the body to her family members. Following the incident, the victim’s family filed a formal complaint naming Saniripan as the primary person responsible for her death.
Crucial Digital Evidence
During the investigation, police examined the victim’s mobile phone and found substantial evidence to support the family’s claims. Records revealed that the accused had made over 300 calls to the victim in a short span of time, with five calls made just before her death. Additionally, intimate chats, photographs, and videos were recovered from her phone.
Acting on this evidence, a special police team was deployed to track the accused. Using mobile location tracking, he was traced to Kusumundi near the Indo-Bangladesh border. With the help of local police, Cuttack authorities conducted a successful raid, arrested the suspect, and brought him back to Odisha on transit remand. He has been produced in court and remanded to judicial custody at Choudwar Jail.
Rising Concerns Over Love Jihad in Odisha
Recent incidents of love jihad in Odisha have raised significant alarm. Just few days ago, a similar case emerged in Keonjhar district, where a girl was lured into a relationship by a contractor from West Bengal. The contractor is accused of pressuring her to convert to Islam and attempting to abduct her when she refused.
In response to these troubling events, there is an increasing public demand for stringent laws against love jihad in Odisha, akin to those enacted in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Various political and social organizations are urging the state government to implement legal measures to address these issues and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly women.
The police have confirmed that further investigations are underway, and additional charges may be filed as more evidence is collected.
