Belagavi: In a tragic and shocking development from Belagavi district, a married woman allegedly subjected to persistent harassment and threatened with death by a local man over forced religious conversion and coercion into an immoral relationship has reportedly committed suicide. The incident, which has left her family and the local community in deep distress, occurred in Gonaganur village of Ramadurga taluk.
The deceased has been identified as Nagavva Demappa Vantamuri, 28, who was married to Demappa Vantamuri about nine years ago. According to her family, the woman had been subjected to repeated pressure by a local man, Maktumsab Patil, who allegedly demanded that she convert to Islam and continue an immoral relationship with him. Family members claimed that Maktumsab repeatedly questioned her religious choices, asking, “Why are you in Hinduism? Come to our Muslim religion,” and reportedly issued frequent death threats, warning her that he would kill her if she refused to comply.
The harassment reportedly started after Nagavva’s initial acquaintance with Maktumsab, which started roughly one year after her marriage. According to her family, what started as a casual interaction eventually turned into an immoral relationship. Upon learning about the situation, her family intervened, scolding her and advising her to break off contact with Maktumsab. Following this advice, Nagavva reportedly severed ties with him, hoping to end the harassment.
However, the situation escalated after the separation. The family alleged that Maktumsab began visiting Nagavva’s house repeatedly, continuing to harass her and threaten her life. Unable to withstand the persistent intimidation, Nagavva allegedly hanged herself at her home. The horrifying incident has prompted widespread outrage in the village and among residents of Ramadurga taluk.
Nagavva’s family has publicly expressed anger over the role of the alleged harasser in her death, emphasizing that Maktumsab’s continued threats and coercion directly contributed to her tragic decision. They have demanded swift and strict action against him.
The Katakola Police Station has registered a case following the complaint from the family and is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nagavva’s death. Police officials visited the site of the incident, collected evidence, and transferred the body to the BIMS Hospital morgue in Belagavi for postmortem examination. Authorities are also questioning neighbors and local residents to corroborate the family’s allegations and gain a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the incident.
Community members and social activists have condemned the harassment and emphasised the need for greater awareness regarding the psychological and emotional pressure faced by women, particularly in rural areas. Experts have highlighted that coercion, threats, and harassment can have severe mental health consequences, sometimes leading to extreme measures such as suicide. They stressed the importance of timely intervention by law enforcement and the community to protect vulnerable individuals.
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