Pressured for same-sex marriage, 15-year-old school girl dies by suicide

The girl's family has alleged that a 25-year-old woman pressured her for a same-sex marriage through Instagram. (AI image)LUDHIANA: A 15-year-old Class 10 student died by suicide at her home in an area on Rahon Road on Oct 31, with her family alleging that a 25-year-old woman she had befriended on Instagram was pressuring her to marry her.Jodewal police registered a case against the woman on Nov 1 under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (abetment of suicide) and launched a search for her.According to the girl’s father, who works at a factory, his daughter had befriended the woman (a resident of another area in Ludhiana) on Instagram around six months ago.He alleged that the woman had been repeatedly pressuring his daughter for a same-sex marriage, leaving her under severe mental stress.The complainant told cops that his daughter died around 5 pm on Oct 31. She reportedly has a younger sister as well.A police official said police were conducting a detailed probe and were searching for the accused. He added that police would also examine whether she had allegedly befriended and pressured other girls in a similar manner.According to police, the accused runs a shop and is unmarried.Police sources said that the police are yet to establish the circumstances leading to the girl’s death, and the allegations against the accused are part of the ongoing investigation.SHO Jodhewal police station sub-inspector Amarjit Singh said that the accused was arrested on Monday.