A man from Gujarat’s Banaskantha district allegedly tried to commit suicide after being depressed over his wife and two children converting to Islam and living separately from him, police said on Monday.
The police have registered a case against one Sohel Sheikh and his four other family members on charge of suicide abetment by allegedly “brainwashing” Haresh Solanki’s wife and children to convert to Islam, they said.
Two of the accused were arrested on Monday, an official from Palanpur (east) police station said.
Solanki, hailing from Malgadh village in Deesa taluka of Banaskantha, allegedly consumed a poison to end his life. He is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Palanpur town and his condition is reported to be critical, police said.
As per the FIR lodged at Palanpur (east) police station on Sunday evening, Solanki, in a note recovered from his possession, said the members of Sheikh’s family were responsible for his mental state which compelled him to take the extreme step.
Solanki’s brother Rajesh had filed a police complaint, alleging that the accused persons “brainwashed” Solanki’s family members to convert to Islam.
They even made Solanki’s wife and children give a statement on a habeas corpus plea in the Gujarat High Court that they had done so on their own volition and wanted to live separately.
Solanki’s daughter initially came in contact with one Aijaz Sheikh in her college. When her family members objected to their friendship, she insisted on living with him. Later, her mother and brother also supported her and the three of them went on to offer ‘namaz’ at home, according to the complaint.
When some members of their joint family objected, Solanki’s wife, daughter and son left the house and started living separately with the Sheikh family’s support.
However, they later became untraceable. When Solanki confronted the Sheikh family and sought to know the whereabouts of his wife and children, they demanded Rs 25 lakh to reunite him with them, the complaint alleged.
They allegedly said Solanki will be able to meet and live with his family if he also converts to Islam, said the complaint.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered against five members of the Sheikh family under Indian Penal Code Sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 384 (extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation), the police official said, adding that two of the accused have been arrested.
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers:
- Telangana: Roshni - 040-6620 2000
- Andhra Pradesh: 1Life 78930-78930; 100; GGH-Kakinada - 98499-03870.
- Karnataka: Arogya Sahayavani - 104
- Tamil Nadu: Sneha - 044 - 24640050; State’s health helpline - 104
- Kerala: DISHA - 1056, 0471-2552056; State’s health helpline 104; Maithri - 0484-2540530; Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre - 0495-2760000
- Delhi: Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health - 011-4076 9002, Monday-Saturday, 10 am -7.30 pm
- Mumbai: BMC Mental Health Helpline: 022-24131212 (24x7); Vandrevala Foundation: 18602662345/18002333330 (24x7) I Call - 022-25521111 (Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.); ASRA - 022 2754 6669 (24x7)
- The Samaritans Mumbai: 8422984528/842984529/8422984530 (5 p.m. - 8 p.m., all days)
- Bengaluru: Sahai - 080-25497777, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Kochi: Maitri - 0484-2540530, Chaithram — 0484-2361160
- Kolkata: Lifeline Foundation - 033-24637401/32
