Uttar Pradesh: Massive mass wedding fraud surfaces, 15 held

The video shows men who are dressed as grooms, hiding their faces. A total of fifteen people have been arrested in the case which also includes two government officials. According to the police the marriage took place in the Balia district of the state on January 25.

568 couples got married on the same day

Sharing further details, the police added that even as 568 couples got married on the day, it was found later that many of them were paid to pose as grooms and brides. It said that men and women were paid between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 to pose and brides and grooms. As per NDTV, while some women did not have any groom beside them, they were wearing the garland themselves. A local while speaking to the channel said that he had gone to watch the wedding. However, he was asked to sit at the ‘mandap’ and was told that he would be paid for the same. BJP MLA Ketki Singh was the Chief Guest at the event. Reacting to the incident she said that while she came to know about the mass wedding just two days back, but now that the matter came to light, it will be thoroughly probed.

It is important to note here that the government provides Rs 51,000 under the scheme. Of this, Rs 35,000 is given to girls, Rs 10,000 to purchase wedding material, and Rs 6,000 for organising the event. Officials informed the scam came to light before any money could be transferred. After this, a committee was formed to probe the event and verify beneficiaries. No beneficiary will be given any money till the time the matter is probed.