Honeymoon gang wife decamps with streedhan from husband

CHANDIGARH: With a growing army of wannabe ‘husbands’ looking for brides, Haryana, cursed with a very poor sex ratio, seems to have become their favourite haunt. 

While those who can afford to look beyond the state are purchasing brides from as far off as Assam and Chattisgarh, the more unfortunate ones are falling victims to loot-and-scoot brides. In Fatehabad district alone at least a dozen such incidents have been reported, indicating how Haryanvi men are becoming victims of organized gangs that provide ‘wives’. 

The latest incident is that of Prem Kumar, in mid-thirties, a resident of Lehriya village in Fatehabad, who was finding it difficult to marry. . Two people met Prem Kumar and offered him a marriage proposal. Sources revealed they took Rs 25,000 from him and arranged a fmarriage for him on August 25. A happy Kumar decided to hold a reception and invited his friend and relatives. But on the midnight of September 4, his wife did a vanishing act with valuables worth Rs 25,000. 

Men in their mid-thirties are increasingly being targeted by such gangs. Ironically, many times the victims do not even lodge a complaint as was the case with Kumar. 

Though Fatehabad SP Saurabh Singh told TOI that he would inquire into the matter, Kumar’s family is still trying at its own level to get back the bride. Of course, they may not be known that there are many Kumars all around. According to sources, the gangs are bringing girls from places like West Bengal, Nepal and Bihar to Haryana. 

‘‘Jagmati Sangwan, president of Haryana unit of the All India Democratic Women Association said, ‘‘The problem could be solved only with awareness among people about saving the girl child.’’