Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 13: In an unusual demonstration today, a group of men gathered at Srinagar’s Press Enclave to expose an alleged marriage fraud, where they claimed to have been deceived and robbed by a woman after participating in a fake marriage.
A group of men from Central Kashmir’s Budgam area, who identified themselves as victims of fake marriages, shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. They alleged that a woman from the Laam Nowshera area of Rajouir in Jammu orchestrated the fraudulent weddings, absconding with their gold ornaments and cash after conducting sham religious ceremonies.
They further revealed that the woman was not acting alone but was accompanied by several men, including her family members, pointing towards the existence of a fake marriage racket operating in the valley. They warned people to be cautious and not fall into such traps.
One victim recounted his ordeal, explaining that he had married to the woman on July 5, 2022, only for her to disappear without a trace after just three months. He expressed his shock, saying, “We verified her background, and we were told she was divorced with two children. We had no idea what she was planning,” he said.
The victim grew suspicious when she repeatedly introduced him as her brother-in-law, suspecting that she may have been involved in illicit relationships. “I have been investigating for the last three months. She has married countless people,” he said.
Abdul Ahad Mir, a resident of Khan Sahab, shared his distressing account, revealing that he had arranged his son’s marriage to the woman last year, incurring expenses of approximately 7 lakhs. “One day, she left the house with her husband, claiming they were going to see a doctor. However, she disappeared, leaving her bewildered husband behind. We tried contacting her for several days without success, only to discover she had already married another man after 15 days,” he lamented.
The victims disclosed how they fell into the trap, citing the involvement of a middleman named Abdul Hameed Mir from their neighbourhood. They alleged that Abdul Hameed Mir, in collaboration with another individual named Javed Ahmad from Rajouri, orchestrated the fraudulent scheme and profited from both sides.
“Abdul Hameed Mir showed me pictures of two women and told me to choose one. He said it would cost around Rs. 2 lakh for the marriage. We travelled to Rajouri as instructed, where we stayed for 21 days, but no suitable match materialised. We handed over Rs 50,000 during this period,” a victim said.
The victim further revealed that after a series of unsuccessful attempts, they were eventually introduced to a woman on a bridge. However, due to alleged health issues within her family, they were not allowed to visit her home. The victim eventually paid 3,80000 for Mehar and other expenses. Yet, one day, while he was at work, he received a call informing him that she had fled.
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