Police delay action on forced conversion angle in Sona’s suicide; family seeks NIA probe

KOTHAMANGALAM: The police are facing criticism for allegedly avoiding charges of forced religious conversion in the suicide case of Sona (23), a TTC student from Kothamangalam. Sona’s boyfriend, Ramees (24) of Panayikkulam in Paravur, has been arrested, but her relatives insist his parents and other family members—accused of confining, threatening, and assaulting her—should also face charges. They allege police are trying to dilute the seriousness of the case.

According to Sona’s friend Jonsi, Ramees and his family had pressured Sona to convert, a claim police have not acted upon. While in confinement at Ramees’s home, Sona reportedly called Jonsi and revealed details of the alleged conversion attempt. Her brother, Basil Eldhose, says retrieving the phone conversation could prove the claim, adding that Ramees had earlier called his parents from Jonsi’s phone as part of a plan to take Sona to Ponnani for conversion. Basil also called it suspicious that Ramees deleted related call records.

Currently, Ramees faces charges of abetment to suicide, harassment under the pretext of marriage, and assault.

Sona’s mother, A.K. Bindu, has written to the Chief Minister and the DGP seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, citing suspicion of involvement by foreign religious extremist and terrorist networks.