Baraatis dine, groom demands Rs 5 lakh dowry, disappears

Agra: A wedding in the Iglas area of Aligarh district descended into chaos after the groom allegedly fled the venue following an unmet dowry demand of Rs 5 lakh, police said.

The groom, Gaurav Kumar (25) of Mathura, arrived with the wedding procession at the bride’s residence in Hastpur village, where arrangements had been made with the consent of both families. The baraatis were served dinner and the ceremony was proceeding as planned when tensions escalated.

The bride’s family said the groom and his relatives allegedly raised a last-minute demand for Rs 5 lakh in cash. When the demand was not met, the groom allegedly abandoned the wedding midway, leaving the bride, Rekha (22), devastated as the celebrations came to an abrupt halt.

The bride’s father, Ramesh Chand, lodged a complaint at Iglas police station accusing the groom and his family of dowry harassment. Police said an investigation has been initiated and statements from both sides are being recorded.

Mahipal Singh, the bride’s uncle, said the family tried to reason with the groom’s side, but they refused to listen and eventually took him away. “We folded our hands and pleaded. I am a poor man, but the groom left only for money,” Ramesh Chand said.

SHO Avdhesh Kumar said both parties were later called to the police station for a discussion, but no resolution was reached. The marriage was eventually called off, and a written compromise was submitted by both sides.