Deceased couple Ravikumar and Sirisha
Hyderabad: A possible religious conversion angle has emerged in the suicide of a couple whose bodies were found on a railway track near Ghatkesar Railway Station in Telangana’s Medchal-Malkajgiri district. The Secunderabad Railway Police are investigating allegations made by the couple’s family that sustained pressure from their neighbours to convert to Christianity, along with a financial dispute, may have driven them to take the extreme step.
Ravikumar and his wife Sirisha, originally from Papayipet village in Chennaraopet mandal of Mahabubabad district, had been living at Kuntluru in the Pedda Amberpet Municipality. The couple died by suicide after coming under a train near the NFC area on the Ghatkesar-Bibinagar railway line on July 2.
According to the Secunderabad Railway Police, the couple’s elder son told investigators that their neighbours had repeatedly pressured his parents to convert to Christianity.
“The elder son of the deceased couple said that his neighbours forced his parents to convert to Christianity. We are investigating and collecting evidence. The neighbours belong to the SC community and the deceased were from the BC community. The neighbours run a business while the deceased were involved in the rice business. We are investigating the matter and will provide more details after the inquiry,” the Secunderabad Railway Police said.
Neighbours allegedly exerted strong influence
During the investigation, police reportedly questioned the couple’s two sons, Sushanth and Vidwans, along with Sirisha’s parents. Their statements are said to have brought to light allegations of repeated pressure from the neighbouring couple, identified as Venkat and Prameela.
According to the family’s statements, Ravikumar and Sirisha shared a cordial relationship with their neighbours. Over time, however, Venkat and Prameela allegedly began urging them to convert to Christianity and attend church every Sunday.
As per reports, Ravikumar, described by family members as a soft-spoken person, occasionally attended Church prayer meetings with his wife as he found it difficult to refuse the neighbours’ requests. However, Sirisha reportedly opposed conversion, while Ravikumar is said to have occasionally tried to persuade her, leading to arguments within the family.
Investment dispute also under investigation
Investigators are also examining a financial angle. According to the family’s statements, after the couple did not convert, the neighbours allegedly encouraged them to invest in a ready-mix business, assuring them of regular monthly returns.
Believing the proposal, Ravikumar reportedly mortgaged his wife’s gold jewellery and invested around Rs 20 lakh in purchasing a ready-mix vehicle, which was handed over to the neighbours for business operations. The family alleged that monthly payments of Rs 20,000 were made only for the first two or three months before they stopped completely.
Family members reportedly told investigators that Ravikumar and Sirisha struggled to repay the bank loan taken against the pledged jewellery.
Final hours before the suicide
According to the investigation, the couple had decided to vacate their house and move elsewhere. They had packed their belongings before leaving home on the evening of July 2.
Police also found that Ravikumar had spoken to neighbour Venkat over the phone for nearly 30 minutes shortly before the incident. Later that evening, Ravikumar and Sirisha died by suicide after coming under a train near Ghatkesar Railway Station.
Police further stated that after news of the couple’s deaths spread, the neighbours allegedly locked their house and left the area.
