Police on Saturday said they busted a fraudulent marriage racket in Chowki Choura, Akhnoor, and arrested five people, including a woman who posed as the bride.
In a statement, the police said that on 11.08.2025, Police Station Akhnoor registered FIR No. 140/2025 under sections 318(4)/82(2)/61(2) BNS after receiving a complaint about fake marriage arrangements. The investigation was taken up by IC PP Chowki Choura, Vinay Kotwal, under the close supervision of SHO Akhnoor and SDPO Akhnoor.
According to the complaint, Deepak Kumar, son of Baldev Raj of Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura, approached the complainant, Rashpal Chand, son of Chatru Ram of Dori Dager, Chowki Choura, with a marriage proposal from outside the Union Territory and demanded ₹3 lakh. After the marriage was solemnized, the bride, along with her accomplices, fled within two days, thereby cheating the complainant.
Investigations revealed that the gang was running a fraudulent racket under the guise of a marriage bureau, managing everything from arranging the bride and priest (Pandit) to completing formalities. Soon after marriage, the bride would abandon the groom on one pretext or another. Due to social stigma, many victims chose not to report such cases. However, timely reporting in this instance led to a major breakthrough.
The five arrested have been identified as Deepak Kumar, son of Baldev Raj of Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura; Vikas Kumar, son of Netar Parkash of Poonch; Arun Kumar, son of Raj Kumar of Bihar; Istakhar, son of Salim of Uttar Pradesh; and Kusum Lata of Uttar Pradesh (the bride).
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out. Notably, four similar cases—two from Akhnoor and two from Nagrota—have already surfaced and are under inquiry.
The entire probe is being closely supervised by SP Rural Jammu and SSP Jammu.
Jammu Police have urged the public to stay alert against such fraudulent activities and to immediately report any such incidents to the nearest police station. This nexus, they said, mainly targets vulnerable individuals, especially those unable to find suitable matches or considered overage for marriage. (Agencies)
