MYSURU, 13 APRIL

Srirangapatna Police in Mandya have registered a case against a man and eight members of his family for allegedly assaulting his wife and mother-in-law after they refused to convert to Christianity.

The main accused, Srikanth, a resident of Palahalli village, is accused of attempting to forcefully convert his wife Lakshmi and mother-in-law Shruthi, both devotees of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

According to the complaint filed by Lakshmi’s brother, Ravikiran, the couple has been married for 15 years, and issues related to proselytisation surfaced only in recent years. Srikanth and his family had converted to Christianity and even built a church in the village.

Ravikiran alleged that Srikanth, who had previously demanded dowry and assaulted Lakshmi, forcibly pressured her and Shruthi to convert. When they refused, Srikanth and his relatives allegedly attacked them with sticks on Saturday.

Ravikiran also stated that approximately Rs 25 lakh in dowry had been given to Srikanth earlier.