The stage was set and the wedding party was ready to bring home the beautiful bride chosen by their Dubai-returned groom. The wedding had been planned online and this was the first time everyone, including the groom, would be meeting the lawyer-bride, or so they thought.
However, Deepak Kumar (24) and his entourage of 150 ‘baraatis’ were shocked when they arrived in Moga, Punjab, only to find his bride “missingâ€, adding insult to injury they also realised that the wedding venue did not exist. A month ago returned from Dubai to Jalandhar, Punjab to marry one Manpreet Kaur. Kumar had been talking to her via Instagram for three years, but had never met her in person, the police said. After realising he had been duped, Kumar lodged a police complaint against Kaur
Kumar told the police that he along with his family had travelled all the way from Mandiali village in Jalandhar to Moga for the wedding at the venue that had been chosen by the bride and her family. Upon reaching Moga, the bride’s family reportedly told Kumar that some people will escort him and his family to the wedding venue. However, even after waiting till 5 pm, no one showed up, Kumar said.
He added that they had asked the locals about the wedding venue named ‘Rose Garden Palace’ but were told that there was no such place in Moga. The groom said that he worked as a labourer in Dubai and had been in touch with Kaur through
the platform Instagram for the past three years. Kumar said he had seen Kaur’s photos but never met her in person. Their parents had arranged the wedding
over phone calls, police officials said, adding that Kumar also claimed to have transferred Rs 50,000 to Kaur earlier.
His father Prem Chand said that 150 ‘baraatis’ came for the wedding, and that he had already hired taxis, paid for catering and a videographer. Kaur reportedly hails from Moga and had earlier told Kumar that she works in Ferozepur, he said. The groom’s father said that the marriage was fixed after speaking to Kaur’s parents over the phone, and guests were invited for the wedding.
Meanwhile, Moga Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjinder Singh said they have received a complaint from Deepak Kumar. Singh said the complaint was lodged after the groom’s family could not reach the bride as her phone was switched off. Further investigation in the matter is underway, he said.
