Uncategorised4 min(s) read
Published 01:32 13 Jan 2018 GMT
This groom was held up at gunpoint and forced to marry
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The practice first came to light back in the 1980s, a fallout from the custom of the bride's family paying the groom's family a fee for taking their daughter. As the money expected for a dowry soared to astronomical heights, less wealthy families seemingly began targeting young men who had cleared their IAS exams, had a medical or engineering degree or had secured a career in the government. Predictably, forced marriages like these often have disastrous consequences. In December 2017, it was reported that a 15-year-old student from Bihar's Gaya district hanged himself from a tower after being forced to marry his widowed sister-in-law, Ruby Devi. According to Mahadev Das's father, Chandreshwar Das, his son was not willing to marry Devi - who was 10 years his senior and used to take care of him like one of her own children. Over the years, organised criminals apparently became part of the practice, carrying out abductions for a fee and guaranteeing post-marriage "compliance" by the groom for extra money. As a result of this, it has been reported by Bihar newspapers that many bachelors are "terrified" and feel unable to report the illegal activity. However, Vinod Kumar refused to keep quiet. According to his story, he was held captive by the bride's parents overnight before managing to get a message to his brother who called the police. Afterwards, the 26-year-old reportedly put in a written complaint and police ordered an investigation into the incident. "We have rescued him from there and brought him to the police station and handed him over to his family. We have asked an official to investigate and act against the guilty. Action will be taken after the probe," Patna’s senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said. Kumar has reportedly stated that he has requested the court to initiate criminal proceedings against the culprits and order stringent actions so that such "evil and heinous practice" does not reoccur. His actions are the ones of a man who is on a mission to prevent others from experiencing the same thing. Whether he'll succeed remains to be seen.















