Massive wedding fraud exposed in UP, brides seen garlanding themselves

A significant wedding fraud has come to light in Uttar Pradesh, with 15 individuals, including two government officials, arrested for their alleged involvement.

The scam was exposed after a video showing brides at a mass wedding event garlanding themselves went viral on social media. The footage also captured some men dressed as grooms concealing their faces.

The community wedding, held on January 25 in the Balia district of Uttar Pradesh, initially reported approximately 568 couples getting married. However, subsequent investigations revealed that several participants were paid to impersonate brides and grooms.

According to a local resident, both men and women were allegedly paid amounts ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 to pose as brides and grooms. Vimal Kumar Pathak stated, "Some women had no one. They were wearing the varmala (garland) themselves. We came to know that people are being paid between Rs 500 to Rs 2,000."

A 19-year-old man claimed that he was offered money to act as a groom. "I went there to see the wedding. They made me sit there. They said that they will give me money. Many were being made to sit," said Raj Kumar.

The Chief Guest at the community wedding was BJP MLA Ketki Singh. Responding to questions about government officials' involvement in the alleged fraud, MS Singh commented, "They informed me just two days before the event. I had suspected there was something fishy. But now a complete investigation is being done."

According to the government website, the scheme provides Rs 51,000, of which Rs 35,000 goes to the girl, Rs 10,000 for purchasing wedding material, and Rs 6,000 for the event.

Officials assured that the scam was exposed before any funds could be transferred to the accused. "We immediately formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter and verify all the beneficiaries. Till the time the complete investigation is not done, no benefits will be transferred to beneficiaries," they said.