Rajasthan police have arrested a woman from Kalapipal village of Bhopal district, accused of cheating people of lakhs of rupees through fake marriages and fleeing with valuables. The Mantown police station of Sawai Madhopur district took action following several complaints.
The accused, 23-year-old Anuradha Paswan, originally from Kolhui Bazar in Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, has reportedly deceived around 25 individuals by marrying them and then escaping within days, taking cash, jewellery, and other valuables. She currently resides in Bhopal.
On May 3, 2025, Vishnu Sharma, a resident of Mantown, filed a complaint alleging that Sunita and Pappu Meena from Khandwa showed him a photo of Anuradha, claiming she was a marriage prospect. Sharma was persuaded to marry her through a fake agreement registered in Sawai Madhopur court after paying Rs 2 lakh. However, within three days post-marriage, Anuradha absconded with cash, jewellery, and a mobile phone.
Responding swiftly, Rajasthan Police formed a special team that coordinated with informers in Bhopal. Using an undercover operation involving a constable posing as an unmarried man, the team identified and located Anuradha through images provided by an agent. She was arrested from Panna Khedi village in Kalapipal, Bhopal, where she was residing after another fake marriage.
Investigations revealed that the gang operated from Bhopal and included members named Roshni, Sunita, Raghuveer, Golu, Majboot Singh Yadav, and Arjan, active in various parts of the city. The group targeted individuals interested in marriage by contacting them over the phone, showing fake photos of women, and charging Rs 2 to 5 lakh for marriage arrangements. Typically, within 3-4 days of marriage, the bride would disappear with all household goods.
Police are currently searching for other members of the gang and reaching out to additional victims. Efforts are also underway to recover stolen jewellery and cash.
While victims from Madhya Pradesh are still being identified, the number of affected individuals is expected to rise as the investigation progresses.
