Man escapes forced conversion attempt

He managed to escape from his abductors who had been brainwashing him for two days allegedly to force him to convert to Christianity; police however treading cautiously as his story has some loose ends

A 32-year-old man was allegedly abducted, forcibly detained and tortured for two days for refusing to 'convert to Christianity'. The incident came to light when Selvakumar managed to escape from the clutches of his alleged abductors and reported the matter to the Hennur police.

Tight spot: Abductor took him home on the pretext of offering him
another painting job. Later, Selvakumar was allegedly forced to pray
and beaten for not obliging. Representation pic

The victim residing near CMH Road, was painting a house on Saturday when a person, who identified himself as Dominic, approached him with an offer of another painting job.

Pop the question?
Dominic later took Selvakumar to his house in Hennur on the pretext of discussing and deciding the cost of the project. Soon after reaching the house, Dominic began asking Selvakumar to consider converting to Christianity, he alleged. Shocked by the proposition, Selvakumar initially attempted to avoid the topic, but Dominic remained persistent on his demand. The painter's refusal allegedly goaded Dominic and a few of his supporters to lock him in a room, all the while trying to brainwash him.

Pressure tactics
"They forced me to pray with them and when I refused to oblige, they beat me up," Selvakumar alleged.
Dominic and his associates kept him confined on Saturday and continued torturing him till Monday. Later in the day, the victim managed to escape. Once free, he reached home and narrated his harrowing experience to his family members.

'Some loose ends'
He later filed a complaint with the Hennur police against Dominic and others.The Hennur police have taken up a case of assault, wrongful confinement and outraging religious feelings against Dominic and his aides. The police are exercising caution with investigations. "Preliminary investigations revealed that Selvakumar statement has many lose ends. We are verifying the facts before initiating further action," the police said. When contacted, Sevlakumar refused to comment stating that he cannot say anything without permission from his family members.